‘Absolutely convinced’… Arsenal are not going to sell 22-year-old to Barcelona

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Journalist Charles Watts has issued his verdict on reports emerging from Spain claiming that Barcelona are now interested in signing Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

It has been some time since Arsenal had to worry about losing any of their star players. Mikel Arteta has taken the Gunners into the title picture in the Premier League. And they also have the knockout stages of the Champions League to look forward to this season.

Unsurprisingly, some of their key figures are attracting admiring glances. Mikel Arteta was linked with the Barcelona job after Xavi announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season.

Gabriel Martinelli is not going to Barcelona

Arteta has dismissed those reports. But he is not the only one being linked with a switch to Catalonia. Reports in Spain have suggested that Barcelona are also admirers of Gabriel Martinelli.

Martinelli has been a stalwart of the side over the past few years. And along with Bukayo Saka, he is part of one of the most devastating winger partnerships in world football. So you can see why Barca may have their eye on the 22-year-old.

However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Charles Watts insisted he is all but certain that Arsenal fans have nothing to worry about when it comes to these reports.

“First of all, if you’ve seen it, there are reports in Spain that Barcelona have ‘turned to Gabriel Martinelli’ in their search for a new left winger, which just made me laugh. And I wanted to talk about it. I’m not talking about it in respect of this being true, or any chance of it happening, because it’s not going to happen,” he said.

“It’s not going to happen. I say that, and immediately the wires start turning in my head of it somehow actually happening and this being clipped up and being shown over and over again across social media. But I’m absolutely convinced it’s not going to happen.”

Winger has little reason to want to leave Arsenal

Of course, every player will have their dreams that we on the outside know little about. And the chance to play for Barcelona is going to be tempting for almost anyone in world football.

But there are huge question marks over Barca right now. Xavi is leaving, and it is not clear who will replace him. Meanwhile, they have undoubtedly had a really disappointing year.

So it is hard to see why Gabriel Martinelli would want to leave Arsenal for Barcelona right now. Perhaps it may be a move which appeals to him in the future. However, you can understand why Watts is extremely confident.