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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may be spared Real Madrid transfer saga due to coronavirus
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may be spared Real Madrid pursuing Gabriel Martinelli in the summer transfer window because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces an uncertain summer transfer window as he looks to not only overhaul his squad but also fend off interest from other clubs in the players he wishes to keep. Gabriel Martinelli is a transfer target for Real Madrid but their plans to pursue the youngster in the summer could be put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Martinelli has been one of the few bright sparks for the Gunners this campaign and Arteta has talked about his long-term plan to develop the youngster.
Arsenal signed Martinelli from the Brazilian side Ituano last summer for a fee of around £6million.
However, the forward has exceeded expectations and has hit the ground running in his debut season.
So far has scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.
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This impressive form has caught the attention of Real and according to the Daily Star, Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is considering making a move in the summer.
However, the report claims that the chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic now makes a transfer at the end of this season unlikely.
Martinelli recently spoke about his future and in a recent interview insisted that he wants to become a "legend" at the north London club.
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"I want to win the Champions League and lots of domestic titles to make Arsenal’s fans very happy," Martinelli told FourFourTwo.
"They deserve the best – not only the supporters but all of the club’s staff.
“I’d like to give back to the club after everything they’ve done for me so far and, as a result, become a Gunners legend."
The 18-year-old also praised Arteta's influence in his development.
"He’s been brilliant," Martinelli said about the Spaniard.
"He pays a lot of attention to moves and keeps pushing me to improve my game; not only in attack but defence, too.
"The boss is very wise tactically and incredibly helpful.
“He’s not an angry guy at all, but likes showing you exactly what to do on the pitch: 'If the ball goes that way, don’t stay here, go there and turn your body that specific way.’ He has a keen eye for detail."