Arsenal Transfer News: Gelson Martins Targeted in Latest Rumours
Rory Marsden@@roomarsdenTwitter LogoFeatured ColumnistJune 13, 2018
Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Gelson Martins, as the winger attempts to terminate his contract with Sporting CP.
According to Sky Sports News, the Gunners are not alone in their pursuit of the Portugal international, who could be available for free this summer.
The 23-year-old's deal with Sporting runs to 2022 but, along with three others, he is attempting to void his contract, citing "just cause" after the squad were attacked at the club's training ground in May, the report added.
Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen provided further context:
Jan Hagen @PortuBall
Confirmed: After Rui Patrício terminated his deal with the club last week, William Carvalho l, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes have all followed their captain's lead and terminated their contracts, quoting "just cause". The Sporting chaos continues. https://t.co/tCrMNfxSXW
If it does transpire that Martins becomes available for free, Arsenal would do well to snap him up.
New head coach Unai Emery has a huge job on his hands to step into Arsene Wenger's role and return the Gunners to the Premier League top four and the UEFA Champions League.
According to Matt Law in the Telegraph, though, he has only a £50 million transfer budget to work with as well as anything he can earn from the sales of current players.
So picking up a player of Martins' quality for free would be a terrific coup.
Martins is a versatile attacker who could add creativity and verve to a forward line that already looks dangerous ahead of next season with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil.
He netted eight goals and provided eight assists in the Primeira Liga last term, and he also has Champions League and UEFA Europa League experience.