Arsenal 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. The deal also includes a provisional agreement for another Brazilian attacker, Gabriel Jesus, to join Spanish giants Barcelona.
Martinelli has been given the green light to travel to Saudi Arabia for a medical examination, a step that will cement his status as the most expensive player ever to leave the North London club. The sum eclipses the £40 million that Arsenal received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain back in the summer of 2017, establishing a new benchmark for the Gunners' transfer income. In parallel, Gabriel Jesus is on the brink of a move to Barcelona after Arsenal and the Catalan side have settled on an £8.6 million fee in principle.
Negotiations are now focused on the finer points of the contract, and both clubs are working to finalise the paperwork. The Brazilian striker is expected to fly to Spain within the next few days, possibly as early as Monday, to complete his medical and discuss personal terms. Jesus had also been linked with a potential switch to Serie A outfit Napoli, but the Barcelona offer appears to have taken precedence.
The transfer is being handled as a separate transaction from Barcelona’s ongoing interest in River Plate forward Julián Álvarez, according to sources at Sky Sports News. The 29‑year‑old Jesus arrived at Arsenal from Manchester City in 2019 for a reported £45 million. During his four‑year spell he netted 32 goals in 123 appearances across all competitions, but his involvement in the Premier League dwindled last season, with only three starts. A serious knee injury sustained in a January 2025 FA Cup match against Manchester United sidelined him for most of the 2024‑25 campaign.
Internationally, Jesus has earned 64 caps for Brazil, although he has not featured for the Seleção since November 2023. Barcelona, under the guidance of head coach Hansi Flick, have been actively seeking a high‑profile striker to bolster their attacking options this summer. Flick praised the club’s recruitment strategy, stating that they are "on a good path at the moment" and that sporting director Deco is doing a "fantastic job" in strengthening the squad. Flick emphasized that there is no undue pressure on the team, noting that the quality shown in training sessions is the most important indicator of progress.
Beyond the two Brazilian forwards, Arsenal have also secured a deal for midfielder Fabio Vieira, who is set to join German side Hamburg for an estimated £7.7 million. Vieira will travel to Germany shortly to complete the necessary formalities. If all three departures – Martinelli, Jesus and Vieira – are confirmed, Arsenal could generate roughly £72 million in transfer revenue. The club has already accounted for about £45 million in sales during this transfer window, indicating a significant influx of funds that could be reinvested in new signings or used to balance the books.
The sales represent a strategic shift for Arsenal, who have been looking to refresh their squad after a mixed season. Martinelli, a product of the club’s academy, had been a fan favourite due to his pace, technical ability and knack for scoring crucial goals. His departure marks the end of an era for the young Brazilian who broke into the first team at 18 and quickly became a regular starter.
While his exit will leave a void on the left wing, the funds generated provide Arsenal with the financial flexibility to target replacements or invest in other areas of the squad. Gabriel Jesus, despite limited playing time in his final season, remains a high‑profile name with a proven goal‑scoring record in the Premier League and European competitions. His move to Barcelona offers him a fresh start in a league that values technical skill and could see him re‑establish himself as a leading striker.
For Barcelona, the relatively modest fee aligns with their current fiscal strategy, allowing them to add experience without jeopardising their financial fair play commitments. Fabio Vieira’s transfer to Hamburg also reflects Arsenal’s willingness to part with promising talent in order to streamline the squad and recoup funds. The Portuguese midfielder, who joined Arsenal from Porto in 2020, struggled to cement a regular starting spot, making a move to the Bundesliga a logical step for his development. Overall, the combined transactions illustrate Arsenal’s proactive approach in the summer market, turning surplus players into substantial revenue.
The club’s hierarchy will now turn its attention to reinvesting the incoming cash, potentially targeting young prospects or seasoned professionals who can immediately contribute to the team’s ambitions in the Premier League and Europe. The upcoming weeks will be crucial as Arsenal’s recruitment team works to identify targets that fit the club’s style of play and financial parameters, aiming to build a squad capable of challenging for honors in the forthcoming season.