Arsenal and Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal appear to be closing in on a deal that would see Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli move to the Riyadh‑based club. Sources say Martinelli is giving serious thought to a switch to Al Hilal, provided the two clubs can hammer out an agreement on the transfer fee. In addition to the headline figure, reports indicate that Arsenal will secure a sell‑on clause that would entitle them to roughly 20 percent of any future profit the Saudi club makes on the player. The Gunners, meanwhile, are already looking ahead to the summer window and have identified new attacking options to fill the void that Martinelli’s departure would create.
Their primary target remains Julian Álvarez of Atlético Madrid, who is still listed as the club’s top priority as the deadline approaches. The club has also been linked with Juventus striker Kenan Yıldız, but the 22‑year‑old has suffered a left‑foot injury that could keep him out for an extended period. Sky Italy reports that Juventus’ medical team is exploring a range of treatments and has not ruled out surgery, which would further delay any potential move.
Martinelli’s status at Arsenal has been ambiguous of late. He was omitted from the matchday squad for the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and also missed the opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City. The lack of inclusion has fueled speculation that the club is preparing to move him on.
Last season Arsenal relied heavily on the partnership of Leandro Trossard and Martinelli for the left‑wing role. If the transfer to Al Hilal goes through, both of those options will be gone, leaving a significant gap on that side of the pitch. Manager Mikel Arteta has already begun to reshape the left‑wing position, with Greek youngster Christos Tzolis emerging as the sole recognised left‑winger in the current squad. Tzolis, who began his career in north London, has impressed during his limited opportunities, but with only a week left in the transfer window Arsenal could find themselves short‑handed on the flank.
In the short term, Arsenal have been using Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke as makeshift left‑wingers. Both players have provided cover in recent matches, but their primary responsibilities lie elsewhere – Eze is a versatile attacker who can also operate centrally, while Madueke is viewed as a competition for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard. Both Saka and Ødegaard have histories of injury, meaning the club may need to keep an eye on depth across the attacking line. The market for Arsenal’s forward positions is tightening.
While interest in Álvarez remains strong, the Argentine forward has expressed a desire to join Barcelona, making his transfer less certain. With Yıldız sidelined by injury, Juventus sporting director Andrea Berta may need to make a decisive move before the window shuts. Martinelli’s departure would also 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 part of the squad when Arteta took over in December 2019.
Although he scored just one Premier League goal last season, that strike came in a crucial win over Manchester City. His record in Europe, however, tells a different story: Martinelli netted six times in his first seven Champions League appearances, demonstrating a knack for delivering on the big stage, even if consistency waned toward the end of the campaign. A sale of Martinelli would likely shatter Arsenal’s current transfer‑record benchmark, which has stood since Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s departure to Liverpool in 2017. The club has faced criticism for its inability to generate significant revenue from player sales, and the Brazilian’s exit could be a catalyst for a more proactive transfer strategy.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright weighed in on the situation during a Sky Sports interview. He expressed discomfort with how the club has handled Martinelli, noting that the player has been left out of squads and not kept informed about his future. Wright argued that, while a sale might be inevitable, it should be conducted in a manner that respects Martinelli’s contributions and offers him a clear pathway.
He suggested that bringing in new signings such as Vinícius Júnior or Tzolis could push Martinelli further down the pecking order, but also emphasized that the club should maintain a level of respect for a player who has served them for several seasons. In summary, the negotiations between Arsenal and Al Hilal appear to be progressing, with a potential fee and a lucrative sell‑on clause on the table. Arsenal’s scouting department is simultaneously pursuing replacements, with Álvarez and possibly Yıldız at the forefront of their targets. The club must balance the need to refresh its attacking options with the responsibility of handling Martinelli’s departure in a dignified manner, especially given his status among the fans and his contributions on both domestic and European fronts.
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether the Brazilian will don the Al Hilal colors or remain at the Emirates for another season.