Aston Villa tipped to swoop for Gabriel Martinelli by top source

Aston Villa would be doing themselves no harm by attempting to pull off a deal for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli this summer.

That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 25-year-old looks to be on the way out in North London, and was not even named in the squad for Sunday's Community Shield win over Manchester City.

Martinelli is under contract until next year with the option of an additional 12 months, and is expected to be available for around £50million this summer.

The winger has already had the chance to join Galatasaray in Turkey, but turned down the move after Arsenal received a bid worth around £38.5m.

Villa are said to be looking for a winger this summer, with Martinelli also capable of playing on the right of the attack.

Gabriel Martinelli 'could play anywhere'

Should he move to Villa, Martinelli will be reuniting with a manager he knows very well - Unai Emery.

The Spaniard was in charge when the winger arrived in North London in 2019, and gave him his first appearances.

Emery would be gone by November, but Martinelli continued to thrive and ultimately netted a staggering 10 goals in just 26 appearances across all competitions.

The Brazil international hit the heights when he scored 15 Premier League goals in the 2022-23 season, but he has failed to reach those levels since.

"He could play anywhere. I think he's a good player. He's 25 years old. I mean, he is quick, isn't he," King told Football Insider.

"For me, the one thing that makes the difference for teams - if you've got players with pace, and Arsenal have got players with pace, but this fella has really got pace. 

"I'd be very reluctant if you [Arsenal] could afford him, I'd keep him as a squad player. You know, you never know today. If there's something personal that's come along [to keep him out of the Community Shield squad].

"He's been a good player. I mean, he's been a trouble-free Brazilian footballer. I think he's too good for Newcastle, to be honest.

"I could certainly see Villa having a look at it, especially after they got rid of [Morgan] Rogers and [Youri] Tielemans. I mean, Spurs even, but there again, you've got the Arsenal-Tottenham thing again.

"He's going to give any team, he'll give you a pace down the left, that's for sure. But I think he'd cost more than £25m."

What Unai Emery said about Martinelli

Speaking after Martinelli had scored a brace against Standard Liege in his first ever game in the Europa League, Emery expressed his excitement.

"I saw him in pre-season and he was working and in each training showing us his hunger," he said.

"In pre-season he was perfect all the time with us in training, and I spoke to him to be calm because when he arrived with an opportunity to play like tonight, if he continues with this hunger then I think he will do well. Tonight confirmed that.

"The first thing in his mind is to help us and receive some minutes with us in the team. Tonight I think his performance and attitude was amazing."