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LONDON. — Arsenal are close to agreeing a new contract with Gabriel Martinelli that will see the Brazil international become one of the English Premiership football club’s top earners.

Sportsmail exclusively revealed on October 10 that talks over an improved deal for the attacker following an impressive 12 months for the Gunners we’re underway, with all parties hopeful of a conclusion.

And those discussions are now at an advanced stage with the Arsenal increasingly hopeful that an agreement is close.

Sources have indicated that Martinelli’s new terms will see his earnings soar towards the upper echelons of the club’s wage bill with a contract worth in the region of £200 000-per-week.

He currently earns £70 000-per-week.

Martinelli is said to be very happy in London and informed his advisors that it was his priority to stay with Arsenal despite growing interest from rival European clubs.

His reputation as one of the brightest young attacking players in world football was strengthen when he was selected for Brazil’s World Cup squad in November.

The 21-year-old made three appearances in Qatar.

Martinelli has already registered five goals and two assists in the English Premier League campaign so far and will hope to build on his tally if given a central role on the pitch, following Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury at the World Cup.

In total, the winger has scored 23 goals in 104 appearances for the Gunners since joining from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk’s deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini has confirmed Arsenal’s interest in Mykhailo Mudryk ahead of the January transfer window. Earlier this month, reports claimed that the Gunners have made Mudryk their top target for the upcoming window, despite the injury to Gabriel Jesus reducing Mikel Arteta’s options in attack.

Mudryk, who primarily plays on the left wing, has been in sublime form for Shakhtar this season with 10 goals and eight assists so far.

Arsenal are understood to be confident of completing a deal for the Ukraine international next month, while the 21-year-old is also keen on making the move to Arteta’s side.

And now Shakhtar claim Arsenal are among the clubs who are keen on signing Mudryk.

‘’Mudryk has received the message, like all the other players, to show up for the training camp in Antalya on January 9,’’ Nicolini told TVPlay.

‘’Arsenal’s interest is there, I can’t deny it. However, today he is called up for the first training camp which runs from January 9 to February 9, then in Warsaw we will prepare for the next European games. — Mailonline