Arsenal plan to accept 'huge' Gabriel Martinelli offer as 'top-class' replacement lined up

Arsenal are planning to accept a "huge" offer for Gabriel Martinelli amid interest from Al Hilal in the closing stages of the window.

The 25-year-old has been subject to specualtion about his future all summer, and it appears Mikel Arteta's side are finally closing in on an agreement to cash in.

Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal are believed to be advancing in talks over a deal for the Brazil international, with Arsenal holding out for a significant fee.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal have opened the doors to Martinelli's departure as they plan to sign a "top-class" replacement.

Arteta has been aiming to strengthen on the left wing this summer, notably with his attempts to sign Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, which ultimately were derailed.

However, there is a feeling that the funds raised from Martinelli's sale could go towards the signing of his replacement before the 1 September transfer deadline.

Will Gabriel Martinelli leave Arsenal this summer?

Football Insider revealed on 14 August that Arsenal are keen to sell Martinelli before the end of the window, despite so far having missed out on their attacking targets.

Galatasaray were previously tipped as a potential destination for the winger, but it appears Al Hilal have now moved to the front of the queue for his signature.

Martinelli is now widely expected to move on before the window closes, putting Arsenal in a strong position to land his replacement.

"It's been made pretty clear that Arsenal are planning to cash in on Gabriel Martinelli," Brown told Football Insider.

"He's a good player and he's done a good job for them, but I don't think he's quite at the level Mikel Arteta is looking for on that left-hand side at the moment.

"They want to build on their success last season, and they feel signing a top-class left-winger will be the key to upgrading their team.

"That's pretty obvious when you look at who they've been looking to sign, players like Vinicius Junior for example, so then the question has been about where that leaves Martinelli.

"If they get a huge offer for him before the window closes, I expect they will be keen to accept it, let him move on, and then use that money to go and sign his replacement.

"It would put them in a better position to do a deal and clear that space in the squad, so if they get an offer which they feel is right for them, he will be allowed to leave."

Which new forwards are on Arsenal's radar?

Arsenal have eyed a number of potential targets to strengthen out wide this summer, and while they have so far been unsuccessful, they are not backing down.

Vinicius Junior was the most high-profile of those targets before he put pen to paper on a new contract at Real Madrid, but Julian Alvarez has now emerged as the first choice.

Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Arsenal are working hard to convince Alvarez of a move to the Emirates before the summer window closes.

The forward is expected to leave Atletico Madrid and is pushing for an exit, but is currently prioritising a move to Barcelona despite the Gunners stepping up thier pursuit.

Alvarez was given a frosty reception by the Atletico fans as a result of his attempts to leave the club, and Arsenal hope to take advantage of the situation to pull off a deal.