Arsenal have reportedly rejected an approach for one of their most valuable players, valued at around £42 million, as Mikel Arteta continues to shape his squad with precision ahead of the 2025/26 season. While the Gunners remain firm on keeping their core talent intact, another departure has been greenlit, signaling Arsenal’s intent to balance ambition with sustainability.
According to sources close to the club, an unnamed European giant made an offer to lure Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli away from the Emirates. The bid, which fell short of Arsenal’s valuation, was swiftly turned down by club executives. Martinelli, who has grown into one of Arteta’s most trusted attacking options, remains a central part of Arsenal’s long-term project. The club views the 23-year-old as a future star and a key figure in their bid to dethrone Manchester City and reclaim the Premier League title.
Martinelli endured an injury-hit 2024/25 campaign, but when fit, he showed glimpses of the explosive pace and creativity that made him a fan favourite. Arteta has reportedly made it clear to the board that Martinelli is “non-negotiable” unless a truly astronomical offer is made — and even then, it would require serious deliberation.
While Martinelli stays put, Arsenal have sanctioned the exit of young midfielder Charlie Patino. The 21-year-old academy graduate, who had been tipped as a future star, will leave the club in search of regular first-team football. Patino has completed a permanent move to Swansea City, following two loan spells that showed both his potential and the challenges of breaking into a top-tier Premier League midfield.
The move to the Championship side comes after extensive talks between Arsenal, Patino’s representatives, and Swansea, who assured the player of a key role in their rebuild. Arsenal have included a buy-back clause in the deal, indicating that they still believe in the midfielder’s long-term future, even if he needs time to develop away from the North London spotlight.
This decision underscores Arteta’s ruthlessness when it comes to squad management. While the club remains committed to developing homegrown talent, the bar has been raised significantly, with the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz dominating midfield roles. In that context, Patino’s departure appears more a reflection of Arsenal’s ambition than a failure of youth development.
In terms of incoming transfers, Arsenal remain active in the market. Arteta and sporting director Edu are reportedly targeting a versatile forward and a defensive midfielder to bolster depth and increase competition for places. There is also interest in offloading fringe players such as Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Cedric Soares to free up wages and make room for reinforcements.
The rejection of the approach for Martinelli signals Arsenal’s growing confidence and unwillingness to be bullied in the transfer market. No longer a selling club, the Gunners are acting like genuine title contenders — keeping their best, trimming the excess, and backing their manager.
With preseason around the corner and expectations sky-high after back-to-back second-place finishes, Arsenal’s summer business is being watched closely. If they can retain their stars while adding the right pieces, 2025/26 could finally be the year they go one step further.
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