Arsenal told to pay £61m for player who could force Gabriel Martinelli to leave
Arsenal will have to pay around £61million for Eintracht Frankfurt starlet Jean-Matteo Bahoya if they wish to add more depth at left-wing, with Gabriel Martinelli’s future uncertain.
Arsenal are in a great position to win the Premier League this season, with five points separating them and second-placed Man City right now amid an 18-game unbeaten streak.
Mikel Arteta‘s side have not lost since 31 August, and they extended their lead at the summit of the top-flight with a 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday (3 December).
They are still set to be involved in the January transfer market despite their strong form, with Myles Lewis-Skelly mooted to leave Arsenal as he struggles for game-time.
The Gunners also hold an interest in Kenan Yildiz as Arteta seeks long-term attacking additions, but they will have to pay a hefty fee if they wish to sign another starlet from the continent that has caught their eye in recent months.
Frankfurt want £61m for Arsenal target Jean-Matteo Bahoya
Frankfurt‘s speedy attacking midfielder Jean-Matteo Bahoya has been impressing this season with three goals and one assist in 18 games, or 800 minutes, played so far.
The 20-year-old has been handed starts in the Champions League against the likes of Liverpool and Napoli, while he debuted for the French Under-21’s in June and has one goal and four assists in five games for the youth team so far.
Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has now reported, via X, that Arsenal are “keeping a close eye” on Bahoya and their interest in his services is “concrete”.
The Gunners have informed Frankfurt of their interest in the 20-year-old ahead of a potential move next summer, with their sporting director Markus Krösche believed to be demanding up to €70million (£61.2m) to prise him from their grasp anytime soon.
Bahoya’s arrival could see Arsenal open to letting Gabriel Martinelli leave
Arsenal fans ripped into Gabriel Martinelli for his recent performance against Chelsea, and he has slipped down Arteta’s pecking order this season following Noni Madueke’s arrival.
The Brazilian left-winger has made just four Premier League starts so far this term, with one goal in 10 appearances, but has been preferred from the off in Champions League games up to now.
He was linked away in the early parts of the last summer window before Football Insider revealed that Arsenal had decided to keep Martinelli for this season.
His contract is up in 2027 though, and with no sign of an extension being penned amid his lacklustre form, the Gunners may well look at letting him leave next summer.
Their interest in Bahoya, who primarily plays on the left-wing, indicates that a new signing in that position is on Arteta’s wishlist, and so it could very well be Martinelli who makes may for the Frenchman following the conclusion of this campaign.