Arsenal have finalized a historic transfer agreement that will see Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli depart for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal for a fee of £55.7 million, the highest amount the London club has ever received for a player. The deal, which has already been approved by both parties, also includes a provisional agreement for another Brazilian attacker, Gabriel Jesus, to join Spanish giants Barcelona for an estimated £8.6 million.
The permission for Martinelli to undergo a medical examination with Al Hilal has been granted, signalling that the move is now in its final stages. Should the medical be successful, the transfer will eclipse the previous club record set in the summer of 2017 when Arsenal sold Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain to Liverpool for around £40 million. Martinelli’s exit therefore represents a significant financial milestone for the Gunners, providing a substantial influx of cash that could be reinvested in the squad.
Gabriel Jesus, who has also been a key figure in the negotiations, is expected to travel to Spain in the coming days—potentially as early as Monday—to complete his personal terms and undergo his own medical at Barcelona. The Brazilian striker has been linked with several other destinations during the summer window, most notably Serie A side Napoli, but the agreement with the Catalan club appears to be the most advanced. Both clubs have confirmed that the arrangements are being finalised, and all that remains is the signing of the necessary paperwork.
Jesus’s situation at Arsenal has been complicated by injury and limited playing time. He arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Manchester City in 2019 for a reported £45 million and has contributed 32 goals in 123 appearances for the Gunners. However, a serious knee injury sustained during a January 2025 FA Cup match against Manchester United curtailed his involvement, and he managed only three Premier League starts in the most recent season.
On the international stage, Jesus has earned 64 caps for Brazil, though he has not featured for the national team since November 2023. Barcelona, under the guidance of head coach Hansi Flick, have been actively seeking to bolster their attacking options this summer. Flick has emphasized that the club’s recruitment strategy is proceeding smoothly and that there is no undue pressure on the coaching staff. He praised the work of the club’s football director, Deco, highlighting the quality observed in training sessions and the overall positive direction of the squad.
While the Jesus deal is now moving forward, Barcelona have made it clear that it does not preclude them from continuing their pursuit of other forwards, such as River Plate’s Julián Álvarez, indicating that the two negotiations are being handled independently. In addition to the high‑profile exits of Martinelli and Jesus, Arsenal have also reached an agreement for midfielder Fabio Vieira to join German side Hamburg. The transfer fee for Vieira is reported to be around £7.7 million, and the player is already en route to Germany to finalize the paperwork. This move adds another piece to Arsenal’s broader strategy of reshaping the squad and generating funds.
Collectively, the three sales—Martinelli, Jesus and Vieira—could bring Arsenal close to £72 million in total transfer revenue. The club has already recorded approximately £45 million in sales during the current window, meaning the remaining deals will push the total well beyond the £70 million mark.
This influx of cash provides the club with considerable flexibility to reinvest in new talent, address areas of weakness, and potentially secure the services of a top‑class striker to replace the departing forwards. The broader context of these transactions reflects the shifting dynamics of the modern transfer market. Premier League clubs are increasingly willing to negotiate with clubs outside the traditional European powerhouses, as demonstrated by the record‑breaking sale to Al Hilal, a team that has been aggressively expanding its squad with high‑profile signings. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s continued focus on acquiring proven international talent underscores their ambition to return to the pinnacle of European football after a period of rebuilding.
For Arsenal supporters, the departure of two beloved Brazilian players marks the end of an era, but the substantial funds generated offer hope for a new chapter. The club’s management will now need to balance the immediate need for attacking reinforcements with long‑term strategic planning, ensuring that any new arrivals can adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League and contribute to the team’s competitive objectives.
As the summer transfer window draws to a close, all eyes will be on Arsenal’s next moves. Whether the club chooses to splurge on a marquee signing or adopt a more measured approach by targeting emerging talents remains to be seen. What is certain is that the record‑breaking sale of Martinelli, the imminent exit of Gabriel Jesus, and the departure of Fabio Vieira have set the stage for a transformative period at the Emirates, with the potential to reshape the squad’s composition and financial landscape for years to come.