Galatasaray Target Arsenal Forward Gabriel Martinelli in Premier League Raid
Galatasaray are plotting one of the boldest transfer moves of the Turkish summer window, as the reigning champions line up a double swoop on the Premier League centred around Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli and Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Keen to shake off a surprisingly muted start to the market, the Istanbul giants are now pushing hard to deliver statement signings before the deadline.
So far, Galatasaray’s only notable addition has been Lesley Ugochukwu, brought in from Chelsea on a temporary deal. For a club with regular European ambitions and a demanding fanbase, that level of activity has fallen well short of expectations. This has prompted the board and head coach Okan Buruk to escalate their efforts and widen their recruitment net, specifically towards England’s top clubs.
At the heart of this renewed push is Gabriel Martinelli. The 25‑year‑old Brazilian has emerged as Galatasaray’s primary attacking target, and negotiations have advanced to the point where a formal offer has been lodged. The Turkish champions are understood to have submitted a bid of around €45 million (approximately £38.4 million) to Arsenal, effectively probing the London club’s willingness to part with a key forward.
Martinelli is viewed in Istanbul as the kind of high-impact signing who could instantly transform the team’s attacking profile. Comfortable on the left wing but capable of operating across the frontline, he brings pace, pressing intensity and a proven end product in one of Europe’s toughest leagues. For Galatasaray, landing a player of his calibre would not only upgrade the squad technically but also send a clear message about their continental ambitions.
However, prising Martinelli away from Arsenal is far from straightforward. The Brazilian has been a significant part of Mikel Arteta’s project, often trusted in high-stakes Premier League and European fixtures. Arsenal are under no financial pressure to sell, and any decision will be shaped by their own squad planning, depth in wide areas and the availability of replacements. Galatasaray’s opening proposal is therefore seen as a test of Arsenal’s stance rather than a guarantee of an imminent agreement.
Parallel to their pursuit of Martinelli, Galatasaray have opened a second front in England by targeting Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister. Initial contacts have reportedly been made regarding the Argentina international, with club executives exploring the feasibility of a deal. While no official bid has yet been disclosed, the interest is described as serious and strategic rather than speculative.
For Okan Buruk, Mac Allister represents the ideal solution in central midfield. The World Cup winner combines technical quality, press resistance and tactical intelligence, making him an ideal conductor in the middle of the park. Galatasaray are seeking a battle-hardened playmaker who can control the tempo in high-pressure European nights, link defence and attack, and offer creativity against deep-lying opponents in the domestic league.
Convincing Liverpool to entertain talks over Mac Allister would be an enormous challenge. He remains a valuable asset at Anfield, capable of operating as a deep-lying playmaker, an advanced midfielder or even in a hybrid role. Liverpool’s own squad balance and their ambitions across multiple competitions mean they are unlikely to sanction any exit without a compelling sporting and financial rationale. As a result, Galatasaray’s interest currently sits at the exploratory stage, with intermediaries gauging the Reds’ openness to even discuss terms.
The timing of this double offensive is no coincidence. While several Süper Lig rivals have moved aggressively in the market, Galatasaray’s relatively quiet window has drawn growing criticism. The club’s supporters expect not only domestic dominance but also credible runs in European competitions, and they are demanding reinforcements that match those ambitions. The board, aware of this pressure, is now underlining its intent with attempts to recruit from the Premier League’s elite.
With the Trendyol Süper Lig campaign already in progress and UEFA fixtures on the horizon, squad depth and quality have become urgent priorities. Galatasaray need players who are not only talented but also used to the intensity of top-level football. Martinelli and Mac Allister both fit that profile: young yet experienced, accustomed to pressure, and capable of making immediate contributions in multiple competitions.
Financially, these pursuits underline the scale of Galatasaray’s ambition. A package in the region of €45 million for Martinelli alone would represent a substantial investment by Turkish standards, likely accompanied by significant wages and performance-related bonuses. Should talks with Liverpool develop, any move for Mac Allister would also require a major outlay. To manage this, Galatasaray are believed to be structuring their proposals carefully, potentially including staggered payments, bonuses and performance clauses to make deals more palatable for the English clubs.
From a sporting perspective, the logic behind targeting these specific profiles is clear. Martinelli would inject explosive width and directness into an attack that often relies on controlled buildup. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one, attack the far post and press aggressively from the front would complement Galatasaray’s existing forward options and give Buruk tactical flexibility, whether in a 4‑2‑3‑1 or a 4‑3‑3 system.
Mac Allister, meanwhile, would address a different but equally pressing need: midfield orchestration at an elite level. In recent seasons, Galatasaray have occasionally lacked a central figure who can dictate rhythm, break lines with incisive passing and maintain composure under pressure against high-pressing opponents. The Argentine’s experience in the Premier League and on the international stage suggests he could assume that responsibility from day one, especially in high-stakes European qualifiers and group-stage clashes.
There is also a broader strategic angle. Galatasaray have long relied on a mix of experienced European names and emerging talents to raise the club’s global profile. Securing starters from Arsenal and Liverpool would significantly enhance the club’s international visibility, attract further commercial interest and strengthen their bargaining position in future transfer windows. It would signal that top-tier Premier League players view Istanbul not as a step down, but as a competitive and attractive destination.
Yet, the obstacles remain considerable. Negotiations with Premier League clubs are notoriously complex, with multiple layers of decision-makers, agents and legal advisors involved. Furthermore, both Arsenal and Liverpool are under no obligation to sell, and any outgoing transfer must align with their own tactical and financial strategies. Galatasaray therefore find themselves operating in a delicate space, needing to show determination without appearing desperate, and leaving room to pivot to alternative targets if talks stall.
As the transfer deadline edges closer, the situation is expected to evolve rapidly. Galatasaray’s representatives are working through established intermediaries to maintain open lines of communication with both English clubs and the players’ camps. Their aim is to establish whether there is any realistic scenario in which either Martinelli or Mac Allister could be persuaded to swap the Premier League for RAMS Park in this window.
If successful, these moves would instantly redefine Galatasaray’s summer and reshape their starting XI. Martinelli would be tipped to become a focal point in attack, while Mac Allister could emerge as the heartbeat of the midfield. Even if only one of the two deals materialises, it would still represent one of the standout transfers in Turkish football in recent years.
If, however, both pursuits ultimately fall short, the club will still have demonstrated a clear willingness to compete for top-level talent. That, in itself, could have a ripple effect: attracting other high-profile players who see Galatasaray’s intent, reassuring supporters about the club’s direction, and laying groundwork for future windows when circumstances at Arsenal or Liverpool might shift.
For now, all eyes in Istanbul remain fixed on developments in London and Liverpool. Galatasaray have moved from a quiet, cautious window to an assertive, high-profile strategy. Whether that ambition translates into signatures on contracts will be decided in the tense days that remain before the summer market closes.