Report: Italy want Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli to change national allegiance

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According to a report from Goal, Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli is being pursued by Italy with the country hoping to convince the 18-year-old to switch his international allegiance from Brazil.

Martinelli is yet to play international football. But he was called up by Brazil boss Tite to train with the team ahead of the 2019 Copa America.

Goal reports however, that Italy are now hoping to swoop in. Martinelli qualifies for the Italians thanks to his father, and they are now interested in convincing the teenager to make the switch.

TBR’s View

It says a lot about Martinelli that he has two of the world’s most decorated nations after him. Italy are ranked 15th in the world currently, while Brazil have only France and Belgium ahead of them. And of course, the two countries have won nine World Cups between them.

It is particularly exciting for Arsenal. Martinelli has barely had a chance to show the Gunners fans what he can do.

In the two games that he has started, he has scored four goals, including a brace in the Europa League. It looks to be a matter of time before he is enjoying a much more prominent role for Unai Emery’s men.

And it also looks as though it may not be too long before he is making his international bow, especially with two nations reportedly battling it out for him.