Martinelli and Galatasaray could be a concern for Milan and Roma | OneFootball

Galatasaray have reportedly submitted a bid for Arsenal and Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli, which could be an issue for Milan and their hopes of selling Rafael Leao and for Roma if they are unable to secure a deal for Porto’s Rodrigo Mora.

How Martinelli and Galatasaray could impact Milan and Roma

According to recent reports from Sky’s Florian Plettenberg, Galatasaray have submitted an offer worth €45m to sign Martinelli from Arsenal this summer. The Brazil international has been described as the Turkish side’s ‘top priority’ this window.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal takes a penalty in the shoot-out during the during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Reports earlier this transfer window had claimed that Milan winger Leao was also among the players that Galatasaray had been considering to strengthen their attack.

The Portugal international had made it clear at the end of the 2025-26 season that he was keen to leave Milan in order to experience a new challenge abroad, ideally in Spain or in the Premier League.

However, as things stand, Leao has been without formal offers from LaLiga or from England, and it now appears that the reported interest from Turkey is less concrete as well.

If Galatasaray are able to strike a deal for Martinelli this summer, then a deal for Leao, who plays in the same position, becomes extremely unlikely. And that could leave Milan with a bit of  headache heading into the 2026-27 season, with their highest earner who had wanted to leave the club, still part of the first-team squad.

Even more concerning for Milan is the fact that if Leao is not sold this summer, he will be into the final year of his contract in the next summer transfer window in 2027, which will likely bring a significant drop-off in a potential transfer fee.

Milan might not be the only ones fretting over a potential deal between Martinelli and Galatasaray, though.

Martinelli had reportedly been among the options that Roma had considered before moving forwards in negotiations with Porto for 19-year-old attacker Rodrigo Mora.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Rodrigo Mora of FC Porto during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Nottingham Forest FC and FC Porto at City Ground on October 23, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The issue now is that Roma and Porto have not yet reached an agreement over the formula of a deal for Mora, with the Portuguese demanding a guaranteed €50m in some way, shape or form.

If Roma are unable to close the deal for Mora and if Martinelli ends up leaving Arsenal to join Galatasaray, then the Giallorossi will have to strike another two transfer targets off their wishlist.