RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
[Getty Images]
Arsenal have held talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal over the sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazil international is free to leave the club this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta making it clear to the attacker that he is not in his plans.
Turkish club Galatasaray showed interest in Martinelli earlier this summer, but the Brazilian would not consider a move to Istanbul, despite Arsenal receiving a 45m euro (£38.54m) bid.
As reported by BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel , Al-Hilal have communicated that they are willing to bid higher than Galatasaray's offer.
Martinelli made 53 appearances last season, scoring 11 goals, but he was left out of the squad for the champions Premier League opener against Coventry City on Friday.
"The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable," former Arsenal striker Ian Wright told Sky Sports.
"I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say: 'Yeah, it's time for him to move him on.' But there are ways of doing that and it should suit how he wants to leave as well.
"With him not being involved in the squad and not being spoken to, he doesn't know what is happening.
"He has done enough with this squad to be treated with a little bit more respect than he is being treated with at the moment."
Arsenal deny that he is being frozen out and say the Brazilian's absence is a result of their strength in depth, with new signing Christos Tzolis impressing in Martinelli's preferred position on the left wing against Coventry.
BBC Sport understands that Arteta has made his position clear to Martinelli and explained his reasons for leaving him out of the squad.
Read the full article here
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.