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Arsenal have held talks with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal over the sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli, BBC Sport reports.
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 (£38.54m) bid.
It is understood Al-Hilal have communicated to Arsenal that they are willing to bid higher than Galatasaray’s offer.
Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019, has 12 months remaining on his deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals, as the Gunners won the Premier League title.
But he was left out of the squad for their league opener against Coventry on Friday, which the Gunners won 3-0.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was critical of Arteta’s decision to omit Martinelli from the squad, as well as the club’s treatment of the forward.
“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” 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’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.”
BBC Sport understands that Arteta has made his position clear to Martinelli and explained his reasons why he has been left out of the squad.
Al-Hilal’s interest in Martinelli runs alongside a move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
The England international did not feature in Aston Villa’s opening weekend defeat by Brighton on Sunday, with manager Unai Emery refusing to guarantee the forward would stay at Villa Park.
