In the midst of a summer transfer window defined by patience and pragmatism, Galatasaray continues to prioritize Gabriel Martinelli as its top target for reinforcing the left side of attack. The Brazilian winger, known for his pace, direct running and defensive work rate, remains the club’s first choice to strengthen the flank ahead of the new season. Yet talks with Arsenal have not progressed smoothly, and that stagnation has pushed Galatasaray’s hierarchy to line up a backup plan.
Galatasaray still sees Gabriel Martinelli as the man to fix its left flank, but stalled Arsenal talks have forced a Plan B into motion.
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, the Real Betis and Morocco winger, has emerged as the club’s alternative should the Martinelli deal collapse. Spanish media, including Estadio Deportivo, have echoed this narrative, suggesting Ezzalzouli would instantly become priority number one if Arsenal continues to reject Galatasaray’s offer. For now, though, the plan remains conditional. Nothing will move on Ezzalzouli unless the Martinelli operation is officially declared dead.
The financial picture explains much of the hesitation. Galatasaray has reportedly offered around €45 million for Martinelli, a bid Arsenal has so far declined to accept. That refusal has created uncertainty and forced the Turkish club to weigh other routes. Ezzalzouli’s situation, however, presents its own complications. His contract with Real Betis includes a release clause valued at roughly €60 million, and the Spanish club has shown no urgency to sell below that threshold. That fifteen-million-euro gap between the Martinelli bid and the Ezzalzouli valuation highlights the scale of the challenge Galatasaray would face in pivoting to plan B.
As of mid-August, no formal offer has been sent to Real Betis, and the Andalusian club is not actively pushing for a sale. Betis appears content to let the release clause act as its main protection, confident that Galatasaray will need to match nearly the full amount to prise the winger away. Ezzalzouli has become a key figure for the Atlas Lions, adding significant international weight to his growing reputation as a dynamic winger. His rise alongside compatriot Brahim Diaz has come to symbolize the emerging depth of talent within the Moroccan national team’s attacking ranks.
Stylistically, the two players offer comparable qualities. Martinelli brings pressing intensity and directness from Brazil’s attacking pool, while Ezzalzouli offers dribbling flair and creativity honed in La Liga. Galatasaray’s staff view both as fitting solutions for the same problem: reinforcing the wide areas of an attack in need of fresh legs and imagination.
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