FC Barcelona continues to search for a reinforcement for its offensive line ahead of next season. After ruling out the addition of Nico Williams and putting the option of Rafael Leão on hold, the management has explored a third alternative that could better fit the team's needs and the club's economic situation.
For months, Deco and Laporta have been working on squad planning with the goal of finding a player who brings imbalance and goals. Although Nico Williams was the first option for a long time, his constant injuries and inconsistency in performance have raised doubts, leading to the decision to rule out his signing.
Meanwhile, the option of Rafael Leão hasn't fully convinced the sports management. The Portuguese player isn't having his best season at AC Milan, and his price of over 70 million euros makes it a complicated operation.
Additionally, the Portuguese winger has been involved in several internal conflicts with his coaches, which has led Barça to prefer keeping his potential signing on standby.
A New Alternative on the Horizon
With Nico Williams ruled out and Rafael Leão on hold, Barcelona has found a third path to strengthen its attack. Gabriel Martinelli, currently an Arsenal player, has emerged as a serious option for the Catalan club.
The Brazilian has been followed by Barça for years, but a move for him was never finalized. At one point, André Cury offered his signing to Josep María Bartomeu, who rejected the opportunity to incorporate him when he was still playing in Brazil. Ultimately, Martinelli ended up signing for Arsenal, where he has grown to become one of the stars of the Premier League.
Within FC Barcelona, Deco is one of the main advocates for Gabriel Martinelli. The former Brazilian-Portuguese player believes that the Arsenal forward would fit perfectly into Hansi Flick's scheme.
His versatility allows him to play both as a left winger and as a center forward, offering greater tactical flexibility to the German coach. Additionally, his speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability make him a very attractive profile for Barça.
Willing to Leave Arsenal
One of the advantages of this operation is that Gabriel Martinelli would be open to a change of scenery. Although he has become a key piece in Arteta's Arsenal, the Brazilian is keen on the possibility of testing himself in LaLiga and wearing Barça's jersey.
The player believes he has already completed a cycle in England and that his playing style could better adapt to Spanish football. Additionally, the possibility of playing for a team with Barça's history and prestige especially motivates him.
The Main Obstacle: His Price
Despite Barça's interest and the player's willingness, the operation won't be easy. Arsenal doesn't want to easily part with one of its great stars and has valued Martinelli at a figure close to 80 million.
Due to its economic situation, Barça can't afford a transfer of that magnitude without first making some significant sales. One of the options being considered is trying to include a player in the operation to reduce the transfer cost.
Unlike Nico Williams, whose injuries raise doubts, and Rafael Leão, whose character is concerning, Martinelli represents a more reliable option. He is 24 years old, in full football maturity, and has demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level in the Premier League and European competitions.
If Barça manages to find the right economic formula, Martinelli could become the big signing of the summer and the key piece of Flick's new attack. Now, the ball is in the court of the blaugrana club, which must move quickly if it wants to secure one of football's gems.