Gabriel Martinelli’s eight-year association with Arsenal is coming to an abrupt end. The Brazilian winger is finalizing a move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal in a deal that will smash the north London club’s outgoing transfer record.
Al-Hilal have agreed a fee in the region of £55 million (€65 million) with Arsenal, according to multiple reports, with CBS Sports sources indicating the package includes a guaranteed $67.5 million plus a further $9.3 million in add-ons. That comfortably surpasses the £35 million Arsenal received for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool in 2017, making Martinelli the most expensive player to ever leave the Emirates.
A medical was booked for the weekend to finalize formalities, and Martinelli has reportedly already begun traveling to the Middle East to complete the switch. Al-Hilal are hoping to confirm the signing imminently, with the winger set to sign a contract worth more than $23 million a year.
The move marks a striking end to what had, until recently, looked like a defining career at Arsenal. Martinelli joined from Brazilian side Ituano back in 2019 for around £6 million and went on to make close to 300 appearances across all competitions, becoming Arsenal’s longest-serving player in the process. He played a significant role in the club’s run to the Champions League final and their first Premier League title since 2004.
But his standing in Mikel Arteta’s plans deteriorated sharply over the close season. After being left out of the squad entirely for the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Coventry City, reports emerged that Arteta had effectively told Martinelli to find a new club. That decision reportedly caused unease inside the Arsenal dressing room, with teammates said to be uncomfortable with how the situation was handled.
Arteta has addressed the exit publicly in measured terms, saying his conversations with departing players “go both ways” and that he is satisfied with how the discussions went, while acknowledging that “it’s inevitable at some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough.”
Martinelli had other options. Turkish side Galatasaray made an approach, but the winger made clear he had no interest in a move there. Napoli were also credited with interest earlier in the window. In the end, though, it was the financial package and lifestyle offered by Al-Hilal that won out — Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reported he gave the move the green light despite some initial reluctance to leave the Premier League.
With Martinelli departing, Arsenal are already looking at replacements on the left flank. Marseille’s Igor Paixão has been mentioned as a target, while the club continues to be linked with Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez — though the growing sense is that Álvarez, if he leaves Atlético, is more likely bound for Barcelona.
Martinelli isn’t the only established face expected to leave north London before the window shuts. Gabriel Jesus is also reportedly closing in on a move to Barcelona, with Arteta citing squad numbers and “personal situations” as the reasons for his recent absence from training.
For Al-Hilal, the deal continues a pattern of high-profile arrivals in the Saudi Pro League, following signings such as AC Milan’s Theo Hernández, and further underlines the financial firepower Saudi clubs are bringing to bear on Europe’s traditional powers.
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