Arsenal could be on the verge of making one of the most surprising moves of this transfer window, as reports indicate they are now open to accepting a bid for Gabriel Martinelli following fresh interest from Bayern Munich. This update has sent shockwaves through both Arsenal’s fanbase and the wider football community, given Martinelli’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s project and the fact that the Brazilian winger has long been seen as a cornerstone of the Gunners’ future.
Bayern Munich’s interest in Martinelli is not entirely new, but the situation appears to have escalated in recent weeks. The German giants, fresh off a disappointing domestic campaign by their high standards, are looking to strengthen their attacking options. With uncertainty over the future of Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry, and with Kingsley Coman struggling with recurring injuries, Bayern’s recruitment team is keen to add fresh, dynamic wide players who can inject directness and goals. Martinelli fits that profile perfectly — young, explosive, technically gifted, and with the tenacity to press high, he’s exactly the kind of player Bayern’s new sporting director, Max Eberl, wants to build around as the Bavarians aim to reclaim their dominance in Germany and push deeper into the Champions League.
For Arsenal, the decision to even consider bids for Martinelli suggests a willingness to reshape the squad to push closer to major silverware. While Martinelli has been a fan favorite since arriving from Ituano in 2019, his form last season was inconsistent by his own standards. After a breakout 2022–23 campaign where he bagged 15 Premier League goals, Martinelli struggled with injuries and found himself in and out of the starting XI. With Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus both able to play off the left, and with rumours that Arsenal are targeting another marquee wide forward this summer, Arteta might be persuaded that cashing in on Martinelli could free up funds for other pressing needs — such as a new striker or a central midfielder.
Reports suggest Bayern’s initial approach could be in the region of €70–80 million, a significant fee that Arsenal may find difficult to turn down, especially if it gives them extra flexibility under Financial Fair Play rules. The Gunners have already committed big money in recent windows — Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber were expensive additions — and with UEFA’s new financial sustainability regulations tightening, every major outgoing sale helps balance the books and reinvest in the squad.
Still, letting Martinelli go would not be a decision without risk. He remains only 23, and despite a dip in output last term, his work rate, versatility, and potential ceiling make him a player Arsenal fans would hate to see flourishing elsewhere. Many supporters still remember the regret of losing young talents like Serge Gnabry, ironically now at Bayern, who developed into a world-class winger in the Bundesliga after Arsenal let him leave too soon. The club hierarchy will not want to repeat that mistake lightly.
Mikel Arteta is known to be a huge admirer of Martinelli’s attitude and raw talent, famously calling him “a little fighter” and praising his relentless desire to improve. Yet even the manager has admitted in the past that sometimes difficult choices must be made for the overall evolution of the squad. If Bayern’s offer hits the right number, and if Arsenal believe they can adequately replace Martinelli with a more consistent or stylistically different wide player, the unthinkable might become reality.
From Martinelli’s perspective, a move to Bayern would be tempting. The chance to play in a team that competes for trophies every season, alongside elite talent, and under a new regime looking to refresh the squad could be appealing. Playing in the Bundesliga might also offer Martinelli a slightly less physically punishing environment than the Premier League, potentially extending his career and allowing him to focus more on his attacking output.
For Arsenal, the next few weeks could be decisive. Should Bayern submit a formal offer in line with the reported figures, Edu Gaspar and the club’s recruitment team will need to weigh the sporting loss against the financial benefit and their plans for reinvestment. Fans, meanwhile, will watch anxiously — many hoping the Gunners hold firm and back Martinelli to rediscover his best form at the Emirates rather than in Bavaria.
One thing is clear: Arsenal are no longer the selling club they once were, routinely forced to offload top talent to bigger sides. If they do sell Martinelli, it will be on their terms, for a premium price, and as part of a broader plan to push this squad to the next level. Whether that will be enough to satisfy fans who have fallen in love with Martinelli’s fearless style is another matter entirely. The next bid from Bayern could test just how much the Gunners believe in their Brazilian star — or whether they are truly read
y to let him fly.
