Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed his transfer from Ituano Futebol Clube to Arsenal.
The 18-year-old has signed a “long-term contract” and is “subject to the completion of regulatory processes”.
The club’s website says Martinelli will soon join up with his new team mates for pre-season training, with the fee believed to be around £5million to £6million.
Martinelli is expected to spend his first season at Arsenal developing in the under-18s, with Football.London claiming he could make his debut for the club in their first pre-season friendly against Boreham Wood on July 8.
Brazilian news outlet UOL Esporte, broke the news that the Gunners had “agreed a deal” to sign the player back in April.
The player’s rapid progress had brought him to the attention of some of the world’s biggest clubs with both Manchester United and Barcelona watching him.
Welcome to Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli
pic.twitter.com/czlXdHpkQs
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 2, 2019
The teenager even went as far as to undergoing a trial at United’s Carrington training base; the youngster managing to get his photo taken with Paul Pogba during his brief spell at the club.
Gabriel Martinelli | “Pogba knew I was Brazilian” – Much wanted youngster talks about Manchester United trial. https://t.co/Oi3OuaDs0U #mufc pic.twitter.com/RNLYvRpSZC
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 21, 2019
Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Cruzeiro and Santos were also trying to sign the Ituano teenager, but Arsenal have got the deal over the line for the player, who was called up to the full Brazil squad for a training camp in May ahead of the Copa America.
Martinelli scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for the Sao Paulo-based club.
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