Arsenal receive official update on €80m Gabriel Martinelli replacement

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 7 Apr 2026 09:01 BST
  • 4 min read
Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal, 2025/26
© IMAGO

AC Milan director Igli Tare insists that Rafael Leao remains a “very important player” for the club amid interest from Arsenal ahead of this summer.

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The Portugal international has been heavily linked with a Premier League switch for several seasons and a deal could finally be on the cards during the upcoming transfer window as Arsenal look to bolster their forward options ahead of next year.

Current ETV
Player image Rafael Leão
Rafael Leão

F (CL), M (L)

Milan logo

Milan

Rafael Leão
Rafael Leão

F (CL), M (L)

Milan

Milan

€70.7M

ETV Range

€63.6M - €77.7M

FootballTransfers has been told that Mikel Arteta’s side have held initial talks with Leao’s representatives over a potential summer move, with the Gunners now ready to step up their pursuit of his signature.

A fee of €80 million will likely be required to finalise a deal for the 26-year-old, with Milan open to a sale and Leao keen to test himself in the Premier League. However, Tare remains a huge admirer of the forward.

“We seem to talk about Leao every week, but his quality is beyond doubt,” the Milan director told reporters ahead of their 1-0 loss to Napoli on Monday.

“His problem is that he suffered a lot of injuries this season that never allowed him to express himself in the best way…

“He has a contract for another two years, he is a very important player for Milan.”

Rafael Leao, AC Milan
© IMAGO - Rafael Leao, AC Milan

Confirmed: Arsenal want to sign a new left winger this summer

In addition to Leao, FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are also eager to sign Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The England international has 22 goal contributions in 45 games so far this season and we have been informed that Arsenal are ready to submit an opening bid for the 25-year-old following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.

Newcastle are reluctant to sell Gordon, but it’s understood that Eddie Howe’s side are willing to allow two or three stars to depart this summer, with the Englishman potentially among them.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have shared duties as Arsenal’s left winger this season, however they have both been linked with exits in recent weeks and they could be offloaded in order to fund the Gunners’ transfer business.

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