Barcelona are reportedly interested in Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli and could try to take advantage of his uncertain contract situation at the end of the season.
The Brazil international is currently on duty at World Cup 2022, where the Selecao face Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday.
But speculation is swirling in Spain about his future, with Sport reporting that Barca could make a move for the 21-year-old next summer.
Martinelli has been tracked by the Catalan club’s scouts and the La Liga giants are paying close attention to how contract negotiations with the Gunners progress.
The Brazilian’s current deal expires in 2024, meaning he will enter the final year of his contract next summer if he doesn’t renew.
Arsenal will be desperate to keep the youngster, who has scored five goals in 14 Premier League games this season to help Mikel Arteta’s side go five points clear on top of the table.
Barcelona are still struggling financially, but managed to make several impressive signings this summer after activating various financial ‘levers’.
However, club director Jordi Cruyff admitted last week that they won’t be able to make any signings in January.
The idea of getting Martinelli on a cut-price deal in the final year of his deal will therefore be attractive to the Catalans.
Martinelli has featured three times for Brazil in Qatar; he started in the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon and came off the bench in wins over Serbia and South Korea.
