Arsenal have confirmed a landmark deal 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 North London club has ever received for a player. The agreement also includes a provisional arrangement for another Brazilian attacker, Gabriel Jesus, to join Spanish giants Barcelona, pending final terms.
Martinelli has been granted permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for a medical examination with Al Hilal, a step that signals the transfer is effectively complete. Should the medical be passed, the move will eclipse the previous record sale of £40 million that Arsenal secured when Liverpool bought Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain in the summer of 2017.
The Brazilian winger’s exit marks a significant shift in Arsenal’s squad composition and financial strategy, as the club looks to reinvest the substantial influx of cash. At the same time, Arsenal have reached a principle agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Gabriel Jesus.
The Spanish club is prepared to pay around £8.6 million for the 29‑year‑old striker, a figure that reflects both his proven pedigree and the reduced market value after a season hampered by injury. Negotiations are now focused on the finer points of the contract, medical, and personal terms, with both parties hoping to finalise the deal within the next few days. Plans are already being drawn up for Jesus to travel to Spain, potentially as early as Monday, to complete the paperwork and undergo his medical assessment. Jesus has also been linked with a possible move to Serie A side Napoli, but Barcelona appear to have the upper hand at this stage.
Sky Sports News has clarified that the Barcelona negotiation is independent of any ongoing interest from Napoli, and that the two clubs are operating on separate tracks. The Brazilian forward originally arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Manchester City in a £45 million deal four seasons ago.
Over his time with Arsenal, he has contributed 32 goals in 123 appearances, but his involvement this past campaign was limited to just three Premier League starts. A serious knee injury sustained during a January 2025 FA Cup tie against Manchester United sidelined him for the majority of the 2024‑25 season, curtailing his chances to cement a regular place in the starting eleven. Internationally, Jesus has earned 64 caps for Brazil, although he has not featured for the Seleção since November 2023.
Barcelona, under the stewardship of head coach Hansi Flick, have been actively seeking a proven striker to bolster their attacking options this summer. Flick has spoken positively about the club’s current trajectory, noting that the recruitment policy is on a “good path” and that there is no undue pressure on the coaching staff. He praised sporting director Deco for his work in strengthening the squad, emphasizing that the quality observed in training sessions is a key indicator of future success.
Flick’s comments suggest that while the Jesus deal is progressing, the Catalan side remain interested in other potential forwards, such as Julian Álvarez, but these pursuits are being handled separately. In addition to the high‑profile exits of Martinelli and Jesus, Arsenal have also secured a transfer for midfielder Fabio Vieira, who is set to join German club Hamburg for an estimated fee of £7.7 million. Vieira’s move to the Bundesliga represents another piece of the club’s broader strategy to balance the books and generate funds for upcoming acquisitions. The midfielder is currently en route to Germany to finalize the paperwork and undergo his medical.
Collectively, the sales of Martinelli, Jesus, and Vieira could bring Arsenal roughly £72 million in incoming transfer revenue. To date, the Gunners have already recorded about £45 million in player sales during this transfer window, indicating a proactive approach to squad restructuring and financial management under the current ownership. The influx of capital is expected to give Arsenal flexibility to target new talent, reinforce key positions, and potentially invest in youth development initiatives.
The departure of two Brazilian internationals marks the end of an era for Arsenal’s recent Brazilian contingent, but also opens the door for fresh faces to emerge. Fans will be watching closely to see how the club allocates the newly available funds, whether through marquee signings, strategic loans, or reinvestment in the academy pipeline. As the summer transfer window draws to a close, Arsenal’s ability to balance competitive ambitions with fiscal responsibility will be a key storyline to follow. For those keeping up with the latest developments, the Transfer Centre LIVE app provides real‑time updates on all moves.
Sky Sports fans can stream the coverage via the Sky Sports app, while non‑Sky subscribers can access instant updates without a contract by downloading the Sky Sports App. Additionally, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £1 million, adding an extra layer of excitement to the transfer frenzy.