Arsenal have begun talks with Gabriel Martinelli about extending his contract at the Emirates, according to reports.

The 23-year-old will reach the final two years of his current deal this summer and GiveMeSport claim that the Gunners are in the “early stages of negotiations” to extend his stay beyond 2027.

Martinelli is one of several forwards who is currently sidelined with injury. However, unlike Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, he is expected to play again this season.

The Brazilian international is nursing a hamstring problem that he sustained during the first half of the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup last week.

Martinelli is already one of the club’s top earners

According to Capology, the forward currently takes home £180,000 a week, which is the 8th highest salary in the first-team squad behind Havertz, Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.

It remains to be seen whether Martinelli would demand an increase on his basic wage or whether he would accept an extension without improved terms. GiveMeSport do, though, claim that Arsenal are “actively working” to get a contract signed before the end of the season so the club are not expecting any complications.

The Arsenal forward has struggled for form recently

The Brazilian hasn’t been particularly prolific over the last 18 months, having found the back of net 15 times in his last 79 appearances.

Many expected Martinelli to kick on, having been heralded as the “talent of the century” by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp earlier in his career.

Following the news about Havertz, manager Mikel Arteta will hoping that the winger can step up to the plate in front of goal when he returns to full fitness.

Read our exclusive interview with Shaun Wright-Phillips as he talks about Arsenal’s striker dilemma and a potential move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.