CHELSEA are keeping an eye on in-form Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has impressed at the Emirates since his 2019 transfer from Ituano.
Martinelli has proved reliable in a number of positions for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, playing out wide or up top.
And he has taken up a more prominent role this term following the departures of Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Brazil star has started every single game for Arsenal this season, scoring three and assisting one.
He also played a starring role in Arsenal’s 3-1 North London Derby win over Tottenham at the weekend, being a constant nuisance to Spurs’ full-backs.
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But with the winger continuing to impress, Martinelli is now attracting interest from one of Arsenal’s top four rivals.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are monitoring Martinelli.
The player is under contract until 2024 and he is one of three players the Gunners are hoping to tie down to long-term deals.
Bukayo Saka is another, as is William Saliba, who has been a rock at the back since returning from a loan spell at Marseille.
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Chelsea are under new management – both in the board room and on the pitch.
Whether Martinelli was on Chelsea’s radar before owner Todd Boehly and manager Graham Potter’s arrival is yet to be seen.
In a bid to scare off any interested parties, Arsenal intend to spend in the January transfer window.
A new central midfielder is on the Gunners’ radar as they look to cement a place in the top four.
Arsenal also sit top of the table and appear to be Manchester City’s nearest rival to winning the Premier League with usual suspects Liverpool and Chelsea faltering.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
