Gabriel Martinelli is set to leave Arsenal for Al Hilal after the two clubs moved close to finalising a €70 million (£60 m) agreement, according to David Ornstein and James McNicholas of The Athletic.
The Brazil international is expected to travel early next week as Arsenal prepare to complete the biggest sale in the club’s history.
Al Hilal have proposed a four-year contract for Martinelli. Personal terms have yet to be finalised, although they are not expected to prevent the transfer from being completed.
Crucially, the €70m fee is fully guaranteed and contains no add-ons.
Martinelli set to break Arsenal sales record
Once completed, Martinelli’s transfer will comfortably surpass Arsenal’s existing record sale.
The current benchmark dates back to 2017, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool for £35m.
Martinelli’s impending departure represents a significant change for a player who has been an important and popular member of Arsenal’s squad since arriving from Brazil in 2019.
The 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Ituano and went on to make 278 first-team appearances, scoring 62 goals.
He made 53 appearances last season as Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2003-04 and reached the Champions League final.
However, Martinelli had been omitted from Arsenal’s matchday squads for their first two competitive fixtures this season, the 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the 3-0 Premier League win against Coventry City.
Arsenal’s attacking overhaul gathers pace
Martinelli’s exit is set to coincide with Gabriel Jesus moving in the opposite direction to Barcelona.
The Athletic reports that advanced talks are taking place over a €10m (£8.5m; $11.6m) permanent transfer for Jesus, meaning Arsenal could lose both Brazilian forwards within days.
Arsenal have already strengthened their attacking options with the arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, while Leandro Trossard has joined Besiktas.
The club also explored a move for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior earlier in the summer before the Brazilian committed his future to Madrid.
The Athletic reports that Arsenal are now looking for an upgrade on Martinelli, despite his contribution across seven seasons.
Al Hilal continue forward recruitment
Martinelli will become one of Al Hilal’s latest attacking additions.
The Saudi Pro League club signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United in July and have also seen Darwin Nunez join Al-Diriyah on loan.
They are additionally pursuing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
The move for Martinelli follows an earlier attempt from Galatasaray. Arsenal received a €45m (£38.4m) offer on August 12, but Martinelli’s camp subsequently informed the club that he was not interested in the proposed move.
The winger’s Arsenal contract runs until 2027, with the club holding an option for a further year.
Read More: Arsenal enquire about Brazilian star as Gabriel Martinelli nears Al-Hilal exit
That contractual position means Arsenal have been able to command a substantial fee, and the proposed €70m agreement would now give the Gunners a record financial return for a player who has been central to their development under Mikel Arteta.
With Martinelli and Jesus both departing, however, Arsenal’s attacking plans are entering another significant phase before the transfer window closes.
1 Comment
I think Martinelli could do really well in Saudi. @tag 2