Shakhtar Donetsk planned to strengthen its central defense in the summer by signing 24-year-old Brazilian Gustavo Martins from Gremio and was preparing an offer of around 7 million euros at the beginning of the transfer window. However, the deal did not proceed because the center-back sustained an injury at that time. A leg injury kept Martins out of play from May 15 to July 16. As a result, Shakhtar signed a different center-back, Alan Matturro from Genoa, near the end of the summer transfer window. Martins joined Gremio in January 2023, and his contract with the club runs until the end of 2027. He has made 16 appearances in the 2025/2026 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season, during which he scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists. The defender has been involved with the U23 national team of Brazil. His current market value is estimated by Transfermarkt to be €4.00m.