Gabriel Martinelli to Galatasaray
This move fell through. Last report: Fabrizio Romano, 15 August 2026.
Galatasaray tabled a firm €45m offer for Gabriel Martinelli, and Arsenal did take it seriously enough to invite bids on the winger alongside Ethan Nwaneri. But the deal has now come apart from the player's side. Martinelli's camp told Arsenal he does not want the move, and Galatasaray have been informed directly that he will not go to Turkey this window. The two clubs never even agreed personal terms before the player's refusal ended things. The sourcing here is about as strong as it gets. Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg, both high credibility reporters, have said independently and repeatedly that Martinelli sees a Turkish move as unrealistic at this stage of his career. Ben Jacobs and talkSPORT back that up, and BBC Sport confirmed Arsenal's willingness to sell in the first place. Four separate voices telling the same story in the space of two days is about as corroborated as transfer reporting gets. This one now sits as a long shot. For it to happen, Martinelli would need a total change of heart, or Galatasaray would need to convince him with something Arsenal and his own preferences have not managed to shift so far. Plettenberg notes the move stays theoretically alive only if a different league comes forward with a serious offer, which points away from Turkey entirely. Napoli remain the more plausible destination if Martinelli leaves at all. Galatasaray have shown they will spend big when they want a player, having paid Napoli €75m and Monaco €31m for past signings, so the €45m interest in Martinelli was not out of character. It simply hit a wall the moment perso
Who reported it
- Fabrizio Romano, 15 August 2026: 🚨🇹🇷 Gabriel Martinelli, never close to joining Galatasaray as he doesn’t plan any switch to Turkey now. Rafa Leão remains on Gala shortlist. Update powered by @sportpusula. http
- Florian Plettenberg, 14 August 2026: 🚨🆕 Gabriel Martinelli has decided 100% that he will not move to Turkey in this window. Galatasaray have been informed. A move for Martinelli is still possible if a suitable offer
- Fabrizio Romano, 14 August 2026: 🚨 Gabriel Martinelli never considered a move to Turkey at this stage of his career as realistic option. Nothing expected to happen in the upcoming weeks with Turkish clubs, includ
- Ben Jacobs, 14 August 2026: As reported earlier on @talkSPORT, Gabriel Martinelli not sold on a Galatasaray move.🇧🇷 https://t.co/atH5oFictc
- Florian Plettenberg, 14 August 2026: 🚨❌ The €45m offer from Galatasaray to Arsenal now confirmed. However, Gabriel Martinelli’s camp have informed Arsenal that he has rejected joining Galatasaray. Post @David_Ornstei
- BBC Sport, 13 August 2026: Arsenal invite offers for Martinelli and Nwaneri. Arsenal hold talks with Galatasaray over the prospect of selling various squad members as the Gunners invite offers for Gabriel Ma