This archive report was first published on 2 July 2019.
Arsenal has made a significant move in the transfer market, signing 18-year-old Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano Futebol Clube for an undisclosed fee.
Martinelli, who scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for Sao Paulo-based club Ituano, was called up for a training camp with the senior Brazil squad ahead of the Copa America.
"It is a dream since I was a child and also my family's dream for me to be playing in Europe and playing for a big team like Arsenal. I am going to take this opportunity," Martinelli told the Arsenal website.
However, the Gunners' pursuit of Wilfried Zaha has been met with rejection by Crystal Palace. The Eagles value Zaha at £80 million, while Arsenal's reported £40 million bid was deemed insufficient.
Despite the setback, Zaha's brother, Judicael, has pleaded with Palace to let him join the club he supported as a boy.
"Given all that Wilfried has given to Crystal Palace to help them remain a Premier League club, I hope Palace will be able to see their way to agreeing a deal with Arsenal that allows Wilfried to realise his dream of playing European football for the club he's supported since childhood," Judicael Zaha told Sky Sports.
Wilfried Zaha is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast and scored in a 4-1 win over Namibia on Monday to help them reach the last 16.
