Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, marking the most lucrative sale in Arsenal's history at a fixed fee of £60 million, which also contains a sell‑on clause for future transfers. This figure eclipses the previous club record set in the summer of 2017 when Arsenal received £40 million for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s departure to Liverpool.
Martinelli’s journey to the Emirates began when he arrived from his native Brazil, signing for Arsenal at the age of 18 after leaving Ituano. Because the Brazilian side received a nominal fee for the youngster, the £60 million received by Arsenal now appears on the books as pure profit, a clean financial boost for the London club.
The Brazilian forward’s switch to the Saudi Pro League follows a period of speculation earlier in the summer when he turned down an offer from Turkish side Galatasaray. The Turkish club had tabled a bid of roughly £38.9 million, but Martinelli expressed a lack of enthusiasm for a move to Turkey at that stage in his career, preferring to explore other opportunities.
Ultimately, the 25‑year‑old chose the project presented by Al Hilal, a club that has been investing heavily in high‑profile talent as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to raise the profile of its domestic league. Martinelli’s departure adds to a summer in which Arsenal have amassed more than £120 million from player sales, a substantial inflow that reflects both the club’s willingness to cash in on valuable assets and its confidence in the squad that remains. Earlier in July, fellow left‑winger Leandro Trossard was transferred to Turkish side Beşiktaş, further reshaping the Gunners’ attacking options on that flank.
The transfer news was accompanied by a promotional push for Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre LIVE, encouraging fans to download the Sky Sports app for instant updates. Whether you are a Sky subscriber or not, the platform offers a way to follow the latest moves in real time. Arsenal have already taken steps to reinforce the left side of the pitch following Martinelli’s exit. The club secured the services of Greek forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, a player who featured in the opening two Premier League victories after Martinelli’s absence.
Tzolis’ arrival, together with the presence of other attacking options, has given Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a broader selection of talent to choose from. After Arsenal’s first‑day win over Coventry City, former Gunners striker Ian Wright voiced his concerns on Sky Sports, describing the handling of Martinelli’s situation as "uncomfortable" and arguing that the 25‑year‑old deserved "more respect" from the club hierarchy. Wright’s comments highlight the emotional dimension of transfers, especially when a player who has grown up at the club is sent away.
Martinelli joined Arsenal in 2019 and, over the course of his tenure, accumulated 191 Premier League appearances, scoring 41 goals and delivering 24 assists. In the title‑winning 2022/23 season, he featured in 30 league matches, although only 11 of those were starts – the fewest starts he had recorded since the 2020/21 campaign.
His contributions helped Arsenal break a 22‑year wait for the Premier League crown, but a dip in form and increased competition for the left‑wing spot saw him fall behind new signings Christos Tzolis and Eberechi Eze in the pecking order. With Martinelli’s departure, only one player from the squad that Mikel Artura inherited remains: Bukayo Saka. Arteta, who took charge on 20 December 2019 after Unai Emery’s dismissal and a brief interim spell by Freddie Ljungberg, has dramatically reshaped the roster. He phased out veterans such as David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette, bringing in fresh talent and instituting a high‑pressing, possession‑based style that propelled Arsenal from a 15th‑place finish to league champions.
William Saliba, another product of Arteta’s rebuild, was on loan at Saint‑Étienne during the 2019/20 season and only made his Arsenal Premier League debut in the opening match of the 2022/23 campaign, a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace. Saliba’s rise exemplifies Arteta’s long‑term planning and willingness to develop young players. Martinelli’s early days under Arteta were hampered by injuries, but he blossomed in the 2022/23 season, netting 15 goals as Arsenal chased their first league title in 19 years. Despite his impact, the arrival of other left‑wing options has limited his starting opportunities, prompting the decision to move on.
The transfer list accompanying the news also highlighted other recent moves: Fabio Vieira to Porto for £7.7 million, Jakub Kiwior also to Porto for £19 million, Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş for £17 million, Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona for £8.6 million, Christian Nørgaard to Everton for £7 million, Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Borussia Dortmund, and Karl Hein to Werder Bremen for £2.6 million. These transactions illustrate the fluid nature of the modern football market, where clubs constantly adjust their squads to meet tactical and financial objectives.
Beyond the footballing details, the story of Martinelli’s transfer underscores broader trends in the sport. The Saudi Pro League’s aggressive recruitment strategy, backed by substantial financial resources, has attracted several high‑profile players in recent years, signalling an ambition to compete on a global stage. For Arsenal, the sale provides a sizable injection of funds that can be reinvested in emerging talent, infrastructure, or further squad enhancements, aligning with the club’s long‑term vision under Arteta. In summary, Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Al Hilal for £60 million not only sets a new financial benchmark for Arsenal but also reflects the evolving landscape of international football transfers, where clubs from emerging leagues are willing to pay premium prices for proven talent.
The departure marks the end of a significant chapter for a player who arrived as a teenager, grew into a key contributor, and ultimately helped the Gunners secure a historic league title before embarking on a new adventure in Saudi Arabia.