Arsenal complete £6m deal for Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal are close to confirming the arrival of Gabriel Martinelli after agreeing a £6m deal for the Brazilian teen, according to a report.

The Gunners are believed to have seen off competition from 20 clubs to sign the 17-year-old, who has previously trained with Manchester United and Barcelona.

Goal.com claims that the young forward, currently contracted to Ituano, will officially become an Arsenal player when he turns 18 in June.

Martinelli qualifies for an Italian passport through his father, meaning that he will not require a work permit to complete his move to North London.

Arsenal’s head of international recruitment Francis Cagigao is said to have played a major part in the signing.

Unai Emery has not yet finalised plans for Martinelli’s integration into the side, but the report suggests that he will be given a chance to impress at first-team level during pre-season, as was the case with Matteo Guendouzi last year.