Arsenal have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal for the transfer of Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli, setting a new club record with a fee of £55.7 million. In parallel, the Gunners have also struck a preliminary deal that would see fellow Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus head to La Liga giants Barcelona for an estimated £8.6 million. Both transactions are now moving into the final stages, with medicals and paperwork being arranged. Martinelli has been given the green light to travel to Saudi Arabia for his medical examination, a procedural step that signals the deal is effectively sealed.
The £55.7 million outlay from Al Hilal eclipses Arsenal's previous highest receipt, which was the £40 million Liverpool paid for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain back in the summer of 2017. Should the move be completed, Martinelli will become the most expensive player ever to leave the North London club. The Brazilian winger, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium as a teenager, has been a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta’s line‑up since breaking through in the 2020‑21 season. Known for his explosive pace, technical skill and eye‑for‑goal, Martinelli has accumulated a respectable tally of goals and assists for Arsenal, making him a valuable asset on the transfer market.
His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for both player and club, as Arsenal look to reshape their squad ahead of the upcoming campaign. At the same time, Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Barcelona for the transfer of Gabriel Jesus. The Spanish side have reportedly agreed to pay around £8.6 million for the 29‑year‑old striker, a figure that reflects both his experience and the reduced market value following a season hampered by injury.
Negotiations are now focused on the finer details of the contract, the timing of the move, and any potential add‑ons or sell‑on clauses. Plans are already being drawn up for Jesus to travel to Spain, with some reports suggesting he could be on a plane to Barcelona as early as Monday. The forward has also been linked with a possible move to Serie A club Napoli, but the Barcelona option appears to be the most advanced at present. The Spanish club are keen to bolster their attacking options this summer, and Jesus, who has a proven track record in the Premier League, fits the profile of a player who can add depth and quality to their frontline.
Jesus’ career at Arsenal began in the summer of 2019 when he arrived from Manchester City for a fee of £45 million. Over four seasons he netted 32 goals in 123 appearances, but his involvement in the Premier League waned last season, where he managed only three starts. A serious knee injury sustained during a January 2025 FA Cup tie against Manchester United sidelined him for much of the year, limiting his ability to showcase his talents. Internationally, Jesus has earned 64 caps for Brazil, although he has not featured for the Seleção since November 2023.
His experience at the highest level, combined with his versatility as a forward who can operate across the front line, makes him an attractive acquisition for Barcelona, who are actively seeking a striker to complement their existing attacking roster. Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, has spoken positively about the club’s recruitment strategy, describing the current phase as "on a good path". He praised the work of the club’s football director, Deco, emphasizing that the focus is on strengthening the squad without succumbing to external pressure. Flick’s comments suggest that the Jesus deal is being treated as a separate matter from Barcelona’s ongoing pursuit of other targets, such as Argentine forward Julian Álvarez.
In addition to the high‑profile departures of Martinelli and Jesus, Arsenal have also agreed a transfer for midfielder Fabio Vieira to German side Hamburg. The fee for Vieira is expected to be around £7.7 million, and the player is reportedly en route to Germany to finalize his paperwork.
This move further underscores Arsenal’s strategy of capitalising on market value to fund future acquisitions. Collectively, the sales of Martinelli, Jesus and Vieira could generate approximately £72 million in incoming transfer fees for Arsenal. The club has already recorded £45 million in sales during this transfer window, indicating a proactive approach to reshaping the squad and balancing the books. These developments come amid a broader narrative of change at Arsenal, as the club seeks to rebuild after a season that fell short of expectations.
The influx of cash from these departures is expected to be reinvested in new signings, academy talent, and possibly infrastructure improvements, all aimed at restoring the Gunners to competitive prominence in both domestic and European competitions. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Transfer Centre for live updates, and to follow the ongoing coverage on Sky Sports, whether through the Sky Sports app or other platforms. As the summer transfer window progresses, Arsenal’s activity will remain a focal point for supporters and analysts alike, with the potential for further moves on both the inbound and outbound sides of the market.