'Middlesbrough transfer rumour: Arsenal enter race for Boro and Leeds United target'
Rumours further state that the Middlesbrough target, who has also been linked with fellow Championship side Leeds United, is going to sign for Arsenal.
According to a report by The Hartlepool Mail, Arsenal are set to sign Middlesbrough and Leeds United target Gabriel Martinelli.
Boro were confident that they could have their man as Ituano, the Brazilian club which Martinelli currently plays for, is under the ownership of Boro legend Juninho.
What’s more, it is also believed that it was Juninho who had informed his former club’s scouting network about the player, hence the reason why Boro were considering themselves to be in pole position to sign the striker.
However, with a the lure of football in the English top flight and Arsenal willing to pay up to £7 million for the 17-year-old striker, the Gunners could be about to sign the in-demand striker.
Before Arsenal entered in the race for the striker, Manchester United were also keen on acquiring his services.
The 19-time Premier League Champions were so impressed with the player that they had offered him the opportunity to train with their first team squad.
Now that Arsenal are ready to snap the wonder-kid, Middlesbrough have no choice but to set their sights elsewhere if they are to bolster their attacking department in the Summer transfer window.
Boro are currently the joint-5th lowest scorers in the Championship, having found the back of the net only forty times this season.
Despite the fact that in addition to having the likes of Rudy Gestede, Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga on their books, Boro also have Jordan Hugill on loan from West Ham United and Martin Braithwaite is currently on loan at La Liga club CD Leganés.
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Therefore, even though their chase for Martinelli has come to naught, Boro can’t waste any time in setting their sights on other targets if they are to ameliorate their woeful attacking stats next season.
