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EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal will have to triple Gabriel Martinelli’s wages to around £200,000 a week to convince the Brazilian to sign a new contract…
- EXCLUSIVE: Gabriel Martinelli and Arsenal are in talks about contract extension
- The Brazilian should be paid a salary equal to the club’s top earners
- Although still in the early stages, an agreement is not even thought to be close
- Martinelli now earns around £70,000 a week, less than half of some top scorers
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Arsenal will have to pay Gabriel Martinelli evenly with the club’s top earners as talks over a new deal get underway.
Sportsmail revealed on Monday that the Gunners had made tying Martinelli to a new long-term contract a priority as he emerges as one of the best young talents in European football.
Negotiations with the 21-year-old’s representatives on improved terms have begun, but an agreement is not close.
Gabriel Martinelli is in talks with Arsenal over contract extension, seeking higher salary
There is no panic from either side with Martinelli – who was rejected by Manchester United as a teenager – known to have settled in London and eager to stay with the Emirates.
However, Arsenal will have to make the Brazil international – who is part of the same stable as Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr – one of the highest paid players at the club if they want to renew his contract.
As it stands, Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey are regarded as Arsenal’s top earners, both with £200,000 a week surplus.
Interestingly, Arsenal are currently in talks with Bukayo Saka over a new contract, with the English star also set to earn close to £200,000 a week.
Martinelli currently earns in the region of £70,000 a week, meaning Arsenal will more than double their current salary if they are to come to a successful deal.
There is no immediate rush but Mikel Arteta, left, is keen to tie the 21-year-old to a new contract
Arsenal are in no rush to reach an agreement on their young attacker’s contract, which does not expire until 2024, while The Gunners also have an option to extend his contract.
However, there is acknowledgment from Arsenal that they should reward Martinelli for his brilliant performance and are keen to reach a deal sooner rather than later.
Likewise, Arsenal will be aware of the interest from rival clubs, with Chelsea being one of the teams keeping a close eye on Martinelli’s performance.
For now, however, Martinelli is fully focused on the Arsenal season and breaking through into Tite’s squad for the World Cup.
Martinelli is eager to break through into Brazil’s squad after scoring and assisting in Sunday’s 3-2 win
Martinelli has three international caps, but competition for attacking places in the Brazilian squad is fierce with players like Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison, Antony and Raphinha all vying for a place.
However, if Martinelli continues in his current form, Tite will find it hard to ignore the Arsenal star.
After Sunday’s euphoric 3-2 win over Liverpool in which Martinelli scored and made another, the South American insisted he wanted to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
‘Of course I want to stay. We are talking. Let’s see what will happen. But of course I want to stay,” said Martinelli.
“I think this is my best season here at Arsenal. I’m so happy for this moment.’