Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires has backed Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli to join Real Madrid in the near future.

According to Ramires, it is natural for a player like Martinelli, whom he described as a terrific footballer, to dream of playing for Real Madrid, insisting there is "always another level" above Arsenal.

Martinelli’s contract with Arsenal will expire in 2024.

The Brazilian international has the option to extend his contract with the Premier League giants.

He has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Barcelona in the past.

“Gabriel Martinelli is a terrific player; he’s been absolutely tremendous for Arsenal this season, and it’s great to see a young Brazilian coming through and showing so much maturity,” Ramires told Ladbrokes.

“It’s inevitable that huge clubs like Real Madrid and Juventus will come knocking on our door."

“At Arsenal, he is playing for a huge club with lots of ambition, but of course, there’s always going to be another level."

“I’d say it’s down to Martinelli and what he wants; you know, it’s natural for players like him to think about teams such as Real Madrid, the size and stature of that club, and how it was maybe a childhood dream to play for them.”