Arsenal transfer news: Martinelli – Calafiori

Here is a roundup of the top Arsenal news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews that you guys could have missed featuring the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Mratinelli…

Arsenal have reportedly offered Gabriel Martinelli to Barcelona as they prepare for a major attacking reshuffle this summer, according to fresh reporting from icfootballnews. The Brazilian has been a popular figure among supporters, but the club’s hierarchy — led by Mikel Arteta — now believe this is the right moment to cash in.

The decision marks a significant shift in ARSENAL’s long-term planning. Martinelli was once viewed as a core pillar of the club’s future, yet injuries, inconsistency and the emergence of other attacking options have complicated his status within the squad.

Sources suggest Arteta wants greater tactical flexibility and a higher level of week-to-week impact from his wide forwards — something Martinelli has struggled to deliver this season.

One of the main factors behind the move is financial strategy. Arsenal are expected to be active in several positions this summer, and Martinelli is one of the club’s most valuable sellable assets.

Offloading him now could generate a substantial fee while his market value remains high. The club’s recruitment team believe the funds can be reinvested into a more complete, physically robust and tactically versatile attacker.

Arteta also wants to evolve the team’s style. While Martinelli offers explosive pace and directness, Arsenal increasingly require attackers who can operate between lines, combine in tight spaces, and contribute consistently to buildup play. With the tactical emphasis shifting, Martinelli’s profile no longer fits as neatly as it once did.

Another consideration is competition. Arsenal’s forward line has grown stronger and more varied, and the addition of new attacking targets this summer is expected to further squeeze Martinelli’s minutes. The coaching staff are not convinced he will reclaim a guaranteed starting spot, and this has influenced the decision to explore a sale.

From a squad-management perspective, ARSENAL believe this is the “peak moment” to make a strategic exit. Selling Martinelli now avoids the risk of his value diminishing if his playing time decreases next season.

For all the excitement he generated when he first burst onto the scene, Arsenal appear ready to move in a different direction — one focused on elite end product, tactical versatility and depth capable of sustaining a title charge.

If Barcelona meet the club’s valuation, Arsenal look set to say goodbye to a fan favourite.

CALAFIOR WANTS ROMA MOVE

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has left many stunned at the Emirates after he admitted that he is desperate to play for AS Roma again “sooner or later.” in a recent interview.

Calafiori’s admission came during a recent interview in Italy, where he spoke warmly about his emotional attachment to Roma. Having risen through their youth system and made his senior debut there, he has long been viewed as one of the capital club’s homegrown gems. His affection for the Giallorossi is no secret — but stating publicly that he hopes to return has naturally intensified speculation regarding his future.

“I’d like to return to Roma sooner or later,” Calafiori said. “Obviously, we can’t plan our career now, but yes, I can imagine it. Also, because I left halfway. Everything started out really well: goals, I even had the chance to play a bit more.

“Then, for various reasons, I first went on loan, and then they sold me. It definitely didn’t go as I had hoped, for several reasons. Returning also to celebrate under the Curva Sud? That’s also why.”

Since joining ARSENAL, Calafiori has impressed with his composure, versatility and ball-carrying ability, quickly becoming a key figure in the defensive rotation. His form has drawn widespread praise from analysts and supporters, For that reason, his comments about Roma have come as an unwelcome development for the English side, who see him as a long-term component of their back line.

Reports in Italy suggest Roma would be thrilled to bring him back, though financial realities make an immediate move unlikely. Arsenal paid a significant fee to secure his services and would demand a substantial sum if any negotiations were to begin.

Roma, currently managing a restricted budget, may find an approach challenging unless future sales create room for a major defensive signing.

From Arsenal’s perspective, sources around the club insist there is no concern at this stage. Calafiori is contracted for the long term, has settled well in London and is enjoying his development under the current coaching staff. His remarks are being viewed as an expression of sentiment rather than a request to leave.

Nevertheless, Italian media remain convinced that the defender dreams of completing his “unfinished story” with Roma, whether in the short or distant future.

For now, ARSENAL remain in control of the situation, but Calafiori’s latest admission ensures that his future will remain a storyline to watch closely in the months ahead.

GYOKERES MESSAGE SENT

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been told he ‘cannot trust’ £64m striker Viktor Gyokeres after Arsenal’s crucial Premier League win over Chelsea which kept them five points clear of Manchester City.

ARSENAL’ 2–1 win over Chelsea on Saturday kept their title push alive, but the post-match narrative shifted quickly when former players and pundits questioned Gyökeres’ reliability in key moments. Though Arsenal dominated possession and created numerous chances, the Swedish striker was left frustrated again after failing to convert two clear opportunities—moments some analysts labelled “decisive misses.”

One ex-Premier League star, speaking on a major broadcast network, claimed Arteta “cannot trust Gyökeres to deliver in high-pressure fixtures,” arguing that the forward’s finishing has been “far too inconsistent for a player whose fee and reputation demand clinical quality.” The remark has since circulated widely, adding pressure onto a player still adjusting to life in North London

Now Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes Arteta will still have been ‘worried’ by aspects of Arsenal’s performance and particularly the lack of threat – set-pieces aside – in the final third, and he says Arteta still ‘cannot trust’ Gyokeres despite his recent upturn in form and also criticised several other Arsenal attacking players, including Bukayo Saka.

‘In terms of the game, I didn’t think Chelsea turned up until the 45th minute,’ Nicol said on ESPN. ‘They didn’t contribute anything going forward in the first half other than the own goal.

‘The second half was completely different. Mikel Arteta would have expected Arsenal to start the second half like they started the match but they didn’t do it.

‘That would be the worrying thing for me, that ARSENAL didn’t have an answer when it got a little bit pressurised. Even when Chelsea had ten men, Arsenal didn’t control the ball. The midfield was poor, Declan Rice just ran out of steam, it was probably Martin Zubimendi’s worst game in an Arsenal jersey.

‘That would be the biggest concern for Mikel Arteta. They have to go to Man City but the other games are against teams outside the top-six which means they’ll probably be sitting in a tight defensive unit.

‘[Gabriel] Martinelli had one run against Chelsea, [Leandro] Trossard is not doing anything on that left-hand side, [Bukayo] Saka has pretty much disappeared recently and Gyokeres got a couple of goals the other week but you can’t trust him.

‘So how are you going to break down these sides? You’ve got an Arsenal side going forward who look as though they can’t break anyone down and Man City who look like they can and have so many options.

‘If you’re Mikel Arteta, you got the win but you must be a little bit worried.’

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