Gabriel Martinelli is demanding Arsenal treble his wages as talks over a new contract begin, according to reports.
The Brazilian was one of the stars of the show as Arsenal announced themselves as Premier League title contenders on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool, who finished last season as runners-up on 92 points.
A lovely finish from Martinelli opened the scoring as he terrorised the right side of Liverpool’s defence, especially Trent Alexander-Arnold, before the England international was substituted off at half-time.
Martinelli has a contract until 2024 at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal have now opened talks with his representatives over improving the terms of his deal.
The Daily Mail claim that the 21-year-old is looking for ‘pay parity with the club’s top-earners as talks over a new deal get underway’.
It is understood that negotiations have started but that ‘an agreement is not close’ after the Brazilian demanded Arsenal ‘treble’ his salary.
Martinelli is insisting that Arsenal make him ‘one of the best paid players at the club if they are to extend his deal’ with Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey earning in excess of £200,000 a week.
The former Ituano youngster is reportedly earning over £70,000 a week in north London and there is ‘no immediate rush for Arsenal to reach an agreement’ as they have an option to extend his existing deal by another year.
The Daily Mail adds:
‘There is no panic from either party with Martinelli – who was turned down by Manchester United as a teenager – known to be settled in London and keen to stay at the Emirates.’
Commenting on his future, Martinelli said as much earlier this week: “Of course, I want to stay. We are talking. Let’s see what is going to happen, but I want to stay, of course.
“I think it’s my best season here at Arsenal. I’m so happy for this moment. I think Arsenal is a big club and we have a lot of good players.
“I think you guys can see from the outside our hunger and our mentality. We want to win every single game and I think everyone can see that.
“I’m so happy [to beat Liverpool], a great game and a great win. I think we deserved the three points.
“It was amazing [in the dressing room at full-time]. Everyone was hugging each other. Everyone knew that it was going to be a tough game and, as I said, I think we deserved that [win].”
On potentially winning the league this season, Martinelli said: “Of course we dream about it, but we…
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