Arsenal and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal have reportedly moved a step nearer to finalising a transfer for Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli. Sources say the young striker is now seriously weighing a move to Riyadh, provided the two clubs can hammer out a satisfactory agreement on the fee. Negotiations appear to be converging on a figure that would also incorporate a sell‑on clause, reportedly set at around 20 percent of any future profit that Al Hilal might realise should they later sell the player on. While the Martinelli deal is being discussed, Arsenal are already looking ahead to replenish their attacking options before the summer window shuts.
Their primary target remains Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, who continues to be linked with a move to north London. In addition, the Gunners have been linked with Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, although the Turkish‑born striker has suffered a left‑foot injury that could keep him sidelined for an extended period.
Sky Sports Italy reports that Juventus’ medical team is exploring various treatment pathways and has not ruled out surgery, which could mean several weeks out of action. Martinelli was omitted from Arsenal's matchday squads for both the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City and the opening Premier League victory against Coventry City, fueling speculation about his future. The absence has been noted by Sky Sports commentator Sam Blitz, who pointed out that Arsenal began last season with Leandro Trossard and Martinelli as their main left‑wing options. If the Brazilian departs, Arsenal will start the new campaign without either of those players.
Mikel Arteta’s side is already undergoing a subtle reshuffle on the left flank. With the potential exit of Martinelli, the club appears to be grooming Christos Tzolis as the sole recognised left‑winger in the squad. The Greek attacker, who has already made an impact in the Arsenal academy, could become the primary choice, but the club still has depth. In the recent win over Coventry, Eberechi Eze was deployed on the left wing, and Noni Madueke has also featured in that role.
Both Eze and Madueke are valuable because they provide cover not only for the left side but also for key players such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, whose injury histories mean they may be required elsewhere on the pitch. Arsenal’s broader transfer strategy is also being trimmed. While Alvarez remains a coveted target, his personal ambition appears to be a move to Barcelona, making any deal uncertain.
With Yildiz now injured, Juventus sporting director Andrea Berta may need to orchestrate a significant signing in the final days of the window to compensate. Martinelli’s departure would mark the end of an era for a player who has become something of a cult figure at the Emirates.
He is one of only three Arsenal players – alongside Saka and Reiss Nelson – who were in the squad when Arteta took charge in December 2019. Though his Premier League tally last season was modest, with just a single goal – a crucial strike against Manchester City – his impact in the Champions League was far more impressive, netting six goals in his first seven appearances in the competition. Despite that, consistency and confidence waned towards the end of the campaign.
A sale of Martinelli would likely break Arsenal’s record transfer fee received, a benchmark that has stood since Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool in 2017. The club’s hierarchy is under pressure to improve its transfer business, and the Brazilian could be the catalyst for a more proactive approach. Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright voiced his concerns to Sky Sports, expressing discomfort with how Martinelli is being handled.
Wright said, "The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment really makes me feel uncomfortable. I know they might want him out, and many will say it’s time for him to move on, but there are ways to do that that also respect the player’s wishes. Not being involved in the squad, not being spoken to – he doesn’t know what’s happening. He’s done enough for this club to deserve a bit more respect." Wright added that the arrival of new signings such as Vini Jr.
or Tzolis could push Martinelli further down the pecking order, but he should still feel he has something to offer. "If you bring Tzolis in and have Madueke on the other side, you’re thinking, ‘I can still have it with these two, I’ve got something to offer.’ For him to be nowhere near it just makes me feel a bit sad for him," Wright concluded. Overall, Arsenal face a delicate balancing act: securing a lucrative sale for Martinelli while ensuring they retain sufficient depth on the left side of the pitch, all amid a transfer window that is rapidly drawing to a close.
The outcome will shape the club’s attacking options for the upcoming season and could set a new financial precedent for future dealings.