Transfer Gossip: Arsenal fight off £43m AC Milan deadline-day bid to sign key attacker; Napoli come clean on Cristiano Ronaldo interest

Arsenal had to fend off AC Milan’s proposal to sign Gunners forward Gabriel Martinelli on deadline day, while Friday’s  Transfer Gossip reveals Napoli’s ‘real’ interest in Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea’s chase for PSV star.

GUNNERS FEND OFF MILAN BID TO SIGN MARTINELLI

Arsenal reportedly fought off AC Milan’s efforts to sign Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli on deadline day.

The Serie A giants were tipped to make a £43million offer for the Gunners star after growing concerned Chelsea were ready to try and land Portugal forward Rafael Leao.

The Times reported that the Stamford Bridge outfit were locked in talks with Milan to sign Leao. In turn, that led to Milan lining up Martinelli as his replacement.

However, Chelsea ended up landing former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as their new No.9 instead.

The Gunners are now likely to address Martinelli‘s contract situation after his impressive start to the season.

The 21-year-old’s current deal runs out in two years time, with the option of a further 12 months. That would take him through to 2025, but Arsenal are keen to reward the player for his excellent form under Mikel Arteta.

Martinelli has started all five wins that see Arsenal currently top of the table, scoring three times.

The winger will be back in action for the Gunners on Sunday when they head to Manchester United.

NAPOLI CHIEF LIFTS LID ON RONALDO CHASE

Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli has said there was “never anything concrete” between the Serie A club and Manchester United and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Serie A outfit were tipped to snap up the Old Trafford legend, giving him Champions League football in the process.

However, Giuntoli has revealed that the move was pretty much a non-starter after the summer window closed.

Ronaldo will now put his full focus into helping United continue their current winning run. The Red Devils secured their third win a row after beating Leicester 1-0 on Thursday evening. Ronaldo came off the bench again in that game.

Erik ten Hag has, however, insisted Ronaldo’s role could change going forward.

He said: “It’s really early in the season and we have a squad. We have more than 11 starting players, that is what you see now. Players now on the bench can play in one, two or three weeks.”

CHELSEA FAILED SANGARE BID REVEALED

Chelsea failed with a late attempt to sign PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, according to reports in the Netherlands.

Thomas Tuchel was keen on strengthening his injury-hit midfield before the 11pm cut-off point on deadline day and ended up striking a deal for Juventus star Denis Zakaria on loan instead.

But things could have worked out very differently had PSV not turned down their advances for Sangare.

According to Eindhovens Dagblad, Chelsea made an approach to PSV this week over the availability of Sangare and indicated that they were willing to pay up to £38.9m.

However, PSV turned down the approach and the 24-year-old ended up remaining in Holland.

Had Chelsea acted earlier this summer, they could have signed Sangare for £31.9m. That was due to a release clause in his contract.