Arsenal and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal have moved a step closer to finalising a transfer for Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli in recent days. Sources say Martinelli is now seriously weighing a move to the Riyadh‑based side if the two clubs can reach a mutually acceptable agreement on the fee.
Negotiations appear to be converging on a figure that satisfies both parties, and reports indicate that a sell‑on clause will likely be included, granting Al Hilal roughly 20 percent of any future profit Arsenal might make should they later sell the player on. While the Martinelli saga unfolds, Arsenal are already looking ahead to reinforce their attacking options before the summer window shuts.
Their primary target remains Atletico Madrid’s promising striker Julian Alvarez, who is still at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wish list. In addition, the Gunners have been linked with Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, although the Italian club’s medical team has confirmed that Yildiz has suffered a left‑foot injury that could keep him out for an extended period.
Sky Sports Italy reports that Juventus are exploring various treatment pathways, including the possibility of surgery, which could sideline the youngster for several weeks. Martinelli’s omission from Arsenal’s matchday squads for both the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the opening Premier League win against Coventry City has fueled speculation about his future. The club’s official channels have not commented, but the lack of inclusion suggests that discussions behind the scenes are intensifying. If the transfer goes through, Arsenal will lose one of their two principal left‑wing alternatives from last season, the other being Leandro Trossard.
According to Sky Sports analyst Sam Blitz, the departure of Martinelli would leave the Gunners without a clear first‑choice left winger as the new campaign begins. Christos Tzolis, the Greek international, is poised to become the sole recognised left‑wing option in the squad, but his experience at the highest level is limited. With only a week remaining in the transfer window, Arsenal risk finding themselves short‑handed on that flank. In the interim, players such as Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have been deployed on the left side in recent matches, providing temporary cover.
Both Eze and Madueke also serve as vital backups for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, who have had inconsistent injury records and may be required in other positions as the season progresses. The market for Arsenal’s attacking reinforcements appears to be narrowing.
While Alvarez remains a coveted target, his personal ambition to join Barcelona makes any deal uncertain. Meanwhile, Juventus’ injury woes with Yildiz may force sporting director Andrea Berta to pursue a different high‑profile signing before the deadline.
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 part of the squad when Arteta took over in December 2019. Despite scoring just one Premier League goal last season, that strike came in a crucial win over Manchester City. His impact in the Champions League, however, was far more pronounced, netting six goals in his first seven appearances in the competition, though a dip in confidence saw his form wane toward the end of the campaign.
A sale of Martinelli would likely set a new club record, eclipsing the previous benchmark set when Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain left for Liverpool in 2017. Arsenal’s hierarchy has faced criticism for a perceived lack of strategic selling, and the Brazilian’s exit could be viewed as a catalyst for a more proactive transfer policy. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright recently 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 makes me feel uncomfortable. I understand the club might want him out, and many will say it's time for him to move on, but there are respectful ways to manage that, and it should align with his wishes." He added that the striker appears out of the loop, not knowing the club’s plans, and deserves greater respect after his contributions. Wright warned that bringing in new signings like Vini Jérémie or Tzolis could push Martinelli further down the pecking order, leaving him feeling marginalised. "If you bring Tzolis in and have Madueke on the other side, you think you still have something to offer," Wright said, "but seeing him so far from the squad is sad." In summary, the Martinelli deal is nearing its conclusion, with financial terms and a future sell‑on clause being hammered out.
Arsenal must balance the loss of a fan favourite with the need to refresh their attacking options, all while navigating a tight transfer window and competing interests from other clubs. The outcome will not only affect the left‑wing dynamics at the Emirates but could also signal a shift in Arsenal’s broader transfer strategy moving forward.