He failed a trial at Manchester United but he’s now the 11th most valuable player in Europe

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Many superstars across world football have experienced a painful rejection at one stage of their career – at least one.

Take Harry Kane for example, who was released by Arsenal, only to become the record goalscorer for north London rivals Tottenham with 280 goals, as well as England’s all-time top scorer with 69 goals.

Even the legendary Roy Keane found himself writing letters to Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest asking for a trial, all of whom rejected him until the latter eventually took notice of his efforts with Cobh Ramblers in Ireland.

Those clubs to end up with egg on their face will always surely feel a tinge of regret – and Manchester United will be no different after their decision to reject Gabriel Martinelli.

Gabriel Martinelli now one of Europe’s most valuable players after Manchester United rejection

As the Arsenal No.11 told The Athletic himself, Manchester United not only ignored his talents after one trial, but four.

Martinelli said: “I actually had four different trials at United when I was 13, 14, 15 and 16. This was in Manchester at the club’s training base, where I played in the same age group as Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams, and I met first-team players, like Zlatan (Ibrahimovic), Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra. There was never a moment, though, when they said they wanted me.”

As he later told The Players’ Tribune, Martinelli felt he did well on trial with Manchester United – although an offer never arrived.

Arsenal eventually took a £6m gamble to sign the South American from Ituano – who resided in Brazil’s third division at the time – a transfer which has well and truly paid off.

As the CIES Football Observatory shows, Martinelli is now worth a sum of €127.1m (£105.3m) – putting him 11th on the list of Europe’s most valuable footballers, behind the likes of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior.

Arsenal want competition for Gabriel Martinelli

Despite Martinelli’s status as one of Europe’s most valuable players – as a result of him being a Brazil international and an Arsenal regular at the age of 23 – Mikel Arteta wants to push the South American.

The Spaniard has left the Brazilian on the bench for Arsenal’s last two Premier League outings before Wednesday’s clash against Manchester United, with the Gunners winning both games following a run of four league matches without victory.

Additionally, Arteta desperately wants Nico Williams at Arsenal – according to strong reports – which could be telling as the Athletic Bilbao No.10 also operates on the left flank.

Therefore, Martinelli must step things up a bit, or his £105.3m value could well start to decrease.