
Arsenal ‘to shatter club record for biggest transfer exit as Gabriel Martinelli wanted by Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr'
talkSPORT claim the Saudi giants are gearing up for a mega-money summer as they chase their first league title since 2019 and Martinelli has shot to the top of their wishlist.
4
4
Al Nassr have been handed a transfer boost with the Saudi window opening 17 days early, giving them equal advantage to European clubs.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to keep hold of the 24-year-old winger.
But a monster bid could force Arsenal 's hand, especially with big-name replacements like Anthony Gordon and Rodrygo on their radar.
Journalist Ben Jacobs says the Gunners have had no formal contact from Al Nassr just yet.
But a £73m deal would obliterate Arsenal's transfer record, smashing the £35m they banked for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.
Arteta wants fresh firepower up front after injuries ravaged his frontline last season and the cash from Martinelli's exit could fuel moves for Gordon or unsettled Madrid ace Rodrygo, who's fallen out of favour since Kylian Mbappe rocked up at the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo's spat with ex-boss Carlo Ancelotti hasn't helped and new coach Xabi Alonso doesn't seem much keener.
The Brazilian's been left out of recent Club World Cup wins and played just 23 minutes in four games.
Elsewhere, Ronaldo's calling the shots in Al Nassr's transfer war room, with Premier League stars firmly in their sights.
Aston Villa 's Amadou Onana and West Ham 's Mohammed Kudus are both on the radar, with Kudus tipped to replace Jhon Duran, who's Fenerbahce-bound on loan.
Tottenham and Chelsea remain keen on Kudus but Saudi clubs could pounce despite a £120million clause.
The Hammers are reportedly ready to sell the former Ajax man but the deal will have to be on their own terms.
4
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Cristiano Ronaldo's 'message to Diogo Jota's wife and parents' after the Liverpool star's tragic death - before missing Portugal team-mate's funeral
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly told Diogo Jota's wife that he will always be there for them following the Liverpool star's tragic death. The Portugal legend is said to have spoken with Rute Cardoso as well as Jota's parents to assure the family of his support. That's according to Portuguese outlet Record, who also claim he told the family he would stay away from the joint funeral of Jota and brother Andre Silva to avoid causing a media circus. Ronaldo's absence from the joint funeral of Jota and his footballer brother Andre was causing shockwaves in their homeland on Saturday. Portugal's most capped player and team captain was expected to fly to Gondomar near Porto to pay his last respects alongside Jota's club and country team-mates at a wake on Friday and the funeral mass this morning. But the 40-year-old dad-of-three was a no-show at both - with a leading Majorcan newspaper saying he was holidaying on the island and had been spotted in two upmarket destinations on board his £5.5million 88-feet long Azimut Grande yacht, which boasts five luxury cabins and six bathrooms. Liverpool team-mates, Manchester City 's Bernardo Silva and Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot, both Portuguese national team players, were among the footballers who packed into the church on Saturday morning - the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. Portugal internationals Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, seen in tears on Friday night before their Club World Cup clash in Orlando, also made it to the church on time along with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez who has been in the States as a member of the FIFA Club World Cup Technical Study Group. Portuguese journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao said shortly before the mass began: 'He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend. 'Diogo Jota was part of the team. Maybe there are some reasons we don't know. 'If he doesn't attend, he has to explain the reason. He has that responsibility. He is the captain.' Sports journalist and commentator Luis Cristovao called his absence 'inexplicable' as the funeral mass got underway without Ronaldo, saying: 'Being inexplicable, any justification will fall short of the shortcoming he committed with his absence.' And TV sports commentator Pedro Fatela, added of the Al-Nassr striker's no-show: 'This absence will be much discussed. There must be justifications in the coming days. 'We will know why Cristiano wasn't able to travel to Gondomar to be present in this moment, but he is the captain. Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson, Alexis Mac Allister and James Milner leave the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar 'All of us were expecting, as all coaches and players were there, to have the captain side by side with his teammates.' A football fan commenting on Ronaldo's no-show on X said: 'For Cristiano Ronaldo not to interrupt his holidays to appear at the funeral is something inadmissible as a friend and as Portugal's captain. It was the least he should have done.' Referencing Ronaldo's emotional Instagram post after he learned about Diogo and brother Andre Silva's car crash deaths on the A-52 highway near Zamora close to Spain's north-west border with Portugal in the early hours of Thursday morning, he added: 'It's not just messages on social media that count, it's not just money that counts.' Another Portuguese X user called Flavia, hinting Ronaldo must have decided he didn't want to be the focus of fans and well-wishers and detract from the funeral by attending, said: 'People are already criticising Cristiano Ronaldo for not showing up at the wake and funeral. 'Folks, I don't know if you realise what Cristiano Ronaldo means to Gondomar. 'I understand it would be good for our captain to attend the funeral but we can't forget who Ronaldo is. 'I understand why he doesn't show up.' A follower responding to her message agreed saying: 'The problem is a lot of people have no respect and would have gone to have a chance of seeing Ronaldo and not for Diogo.' Local reports Ronaldo had been spotted on his luxury yacht in Majorca first emerged yesterday evening on the eve of the funerals. He posted an emotional tribute to the Liverpool winger and his footballer brother Andre Silva when he learned they had died in the early hours of Thursday after crashing in a 200mph £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan following a suspected tyre blowout. The siblings were on their way to the Spanish port city of Santander so Diogo, who had been advised against air travel following lung surgery, could take a ferry to the UK and head on to Liverpool. Reporting former Manchester United frontman Ronaldo had been spotted relaxing in the Balearic Islands, respected Majorcan newspaper Ultima Hora said late on Friday: 'Cristiano Ronaldo has chosen Majorca again as a destination to enjoy his summer vacation.' It went on to report the Portuguese star had been seen in the upmarket resort of Illetes on Majorca's south-west coastline and the port of Andratx on board his £5.5m yacht. And it added: 'Although on this occasion he hasn't been seen outside of his yacht, it's normal for the footballer to take advantage of his stay on the island to train, go to high-class restaurants and enjoy family life.' Ronaldo last holidayed in Majorca with his family three years ago. An employee of the footballer's, thought to have been one of his bodyguards, was injured during the break when the sports car he was driving came off the road and smashed into a stone wall protecting a house near Ronaldo's holiday home. The Bugatti he crashed was one of two cars the former Manchester United frontman had ferried over to the Spanish island for his sunshine break. Ronaldo was reportedly in another vehicle in a small convoy with his loved ones when his employee came off the road after they left their rented family home for a day out. He was said at the time to have ordered other staff to remain at the scene while they continued their journey. Virgil Van Dijk, who held a flower arrangement in the shape of Diogo's shirt with the number 20 and Andy Robertson, who carried a red shirt bearing Andre's number 30 The badly-damaged Bugatti was later driven away on a tow-truck under a blue tarpaulin. The owner of the Majorcan house hit by Cristiano Ronaldo's sports car subsequently said he had pledged to pay for the damage. The unnamed homeowner revealed he was promised compensation after turning up at his rented mansion to try to speak to him. In his Instagram tribute to newly-married Diogo and his brother Ronaldo said: 'Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. 'To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre We will all miss you.' Diogo Jota's long-time agent Jorge Mendes attended yesterday's wake after travelling to Spain to spend time with the footballer's heartbroken loved ones including his widow Rute Cardoso, mum to their three children, while they tried to repatriate his body.


Metro
30 minutes ago
- Metro
Chelsea target shock Arsenal star after Noni Madueke agrees transfer
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing a shock Arsenal star after Noni Madueke agreed personal terms with the Gunners. Madueke has been linked with making a surprise transfer across London despite Enzo Maresca insisting he was an 'important' player for the Blues. But on Saturday, just hours after playing in Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final win, The Athletic claim that the England star has decided to move to the Emirates. Personal terms have been agreed but the deal is still someway off with club-to-club talks yet to take place. Madueke is valued at £50million and would be the second Chelsea player to join Arsenal this summer following Kepa Arrizabalaga. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Chelsea have already bolstered their forward line this transfer window, signing Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Estevao and Jamie Gittens – the latter confirmed on Saturday. However, they're not done yet as Fabrizio Romano reports that the west London club are eyeing up Ethan Nwaneri and could make a sensational move for the Arsenal wonderkid. The youngest player to play in the Premier League, Nwaneri has a huge career ahead of him and was given the opportunity to show his potential last season, frequently deputising from the injured Bukayo Saka. The 18-year-old's contract expires next summer and it was reported earlier this week that talks over a new deal aren't progressing well. More Trending This could however be partly be down to Nwaneri's participation at the U21 Euros, where he helped England retain their crown. Appearances: 37 Starts: 16 Goals: 9 Assists: 2 Chelsea are now monitoring the situation but will only make a move for the attacking midfielder if a new contract cannot be agreed. It is said Nwaneri wants to stay at Arsenal but also wants guaranteed game time, something the arrival of Madueke could actually affect. Mikel Arteta's side are set to announce the signing of midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard very soon and are closing in on defender Christhian Mosquera. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd respond to five players asking to leave Old Trafford this summer MORE: Why Cristiano Ronaldo missed Diogo Jota funeral as teammates say farewell MORE: Liverpool stars attend Diogo Jota funeral as police swoop after fans take selfies


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal agree deal with Noni Madueke after Chelsea ace gets transfer green light
Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Noni Madueke and are now mulling over an approach to Chelsea in order to thrash out a deal for the versatile England attacker. Madueke, 23, is among a number of forward targets that Arsenal have been considering as they bid to add more firepower to Mikel Arteta's squad. And while the Gunners have seemingly settled on Rodrygo of Real Madrid as their top left-winger target, talk of a move for Madueke refuses to go away. The Chelsea winger is among a handful of players who could depart Stamford Bridge for the right money this summer. And while no official talks over a transfer have yet been held with Chelsea, The Athletic report that Madueke has now agreed terms with Arsenal ahead of a potential move. They add that Arsenal are currently weighing up whether to proceed with an approach for Madueke, who would provide depth on the right-hand side of the team's attack. Chelsea are understood to value Madueke at around the £50million mark which could prove to be an issue for Arsenal, who are also keen to do deals for a top No 9 and a left-winger, as well as signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. They are also courting Eberechi Eze and could target further additions depending on funds. Madueke's future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain despite a fine 2024-25 campaign for the Blues, where he chalked up 11 goals and a further five assists across 45 appearances. He joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and is contracted until the summer of 2030 after putting pen to paper on a long-term deal. Enzo Maresca has already hinted, however, that Chelsea would not stand in the way of Madueke - or any other player for that matter - who wished to pursue a move to a different club. When he was asked about speculation linking Madueke with a move to Arsenal, Maresca replied: "Noni has been very important for us during this season. Today, again, he has been important. "But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. "It's not for Noni, it's for all the players we have. But again, Noni has been very good during the season and very good tonight." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.