Galatasaray wanted Rafael Leao.
They made AC Milan a permanent offer.
It wasn’t deemed adequate.
And so the Turkish club has gone back to the drawing board, adding a new name to their shortlist.
One that will immediately make Arsenal supporters sit up.
Galatasaray add Gabriel Martinelli to attacking shortlist as Arsenal star emerges as alternative to AC Milan’s Leao
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Gabriel Martinelli has entered Galatasaray’s shortlist for wide attacking reinforcement, with the Brazilian described as an option the Turkish giants like should their pursuit of Leao ultimately prove unsuccessful.
Di Marzio was clear on the pecking order.
Galatasaray made a permanent offer for Leao.
AC Milan rejected it as insufficient.
It’s now unclear whether the Turkish club will return with a higher bid, or whether Leao himself would even welcome the move, given he is reportedly settled and comfortable under Ruben Amorim’s new setup at the San Siro.
Martinelli has entered the picture as a genuine alternative.
The 25-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his Arsenal contract and the club face a critical decision, sell this summer and generate a fee, or risk losing him for nothing in 2027.
Galatasaray would offer him a prominent attacking role in the Super Lig and European competition.
Whether the Premier League winner, a player who contributed 16 goals and assists last season, sees that as a step he’s ready to take remains the central question.
For Arsenal, the situation is uncomfortable but not yet urgent.
For Galatasaray, Martinelli is now a name on the list.
And that alone changes the conversation.
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