Gabriel Martinelli’s time at Arsenal could be coming to an end this summer.
The Brazilian is driving interest from Serie A, with both Roma and Juventus having made enquiries.
Arsenal are reportedly quoting around £40million for the 25-year-old.
Given that Martinelli scored just one Premier League goal last season, some might question whether that valuation is realistic.
Discuss: What is the ideal sale price for Gabriel Martinelli?
After all, the winger’s form and output have dipped significantly over the past couple of seasons, particularly domestically.
But Chelsea may have answered that question, and in doing so, handed their London rivals an unexpected boost.
Arsenal can point to Chelsea when selling Gabriel Martinelli
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed Alejandro Garnacho will leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Fabrizio Romano reports Chelsea value him at €50million for clubs abroad and £45million for Premier League sides.
Roma have already submitted a loan bid with a £30million buy option, which Chelsea are expected to reject.
Garnacho scored one Premier League goal last season, in his debut campaign at Chelsea after joining from Manchester United for £40million.
Despite that, Chelsea are demanding a profit on a winger who, by any objective measure, underdelivered.
If that is the market rate for Garnacho, Arsenal’s £40million asking price for Martinelli starts to look very reasonable indeed.
Gabriel Martinelli is worth more than Alejandro Garnacho
At Garnacho’s age, Martinelli had already produced a 15 non-penalty Premier League goal season.
Last season, when his domestic form dipped, he still scored six Champions League goals, playing an important role in his side reaching the final.
His World Cup performances for Brazil in a more central role, including a stoppage-time winner against Japan, showed he has perhaps been misprofiled by Mikel Arteta.
Should Arsenal use Gabriel Martinelli in a deeper role next season like Carlo Ancelotti did?
The Arsenal manager has almost exclusively used him wide on the left flank, when it’s clear he is much more threatening when playing closer to goal.
As for Garnacho, he is also more capable than the one league goal he scored last season, but he isn’t as credible as Martinelli.
Arsenal are also set to say farewell to Leandro Trossard, who is heading to Besiktas for €20million.
Even that is a modest fee in today’s market, which has lost all sense this summer.
Andrea Berta must not make the same mistake with Martinelli, and should hold firm for a valuation he is actually worth.
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