Arsenal have officially 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, which includes a medical appointment for the 22‑year‑old, will make Martinelli the most expensive player ever to leave the North London outfit, eclipsing the £40 million Liverpool received for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain back in the summer of 2017. The negotiations surrounding Martinelli’s exit have been moving swiftly.
After receiving permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for his medical, the young striker is expected to complete the paperwork in the coming days, sealing a transfer that not only breaks Arsenal’s previous record but also underscores the growing financial pull of the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal, one of the most ambitious clubs in the region, have been active in the market and view Martinelli as a marquee signing who can add pace, flair, and a proven goal‑scoring instinct to their attack. In parallel with Martinelli’s departure, Arsenal have also reached a principle agreement with Spanish giants Barcelona for the sale of fellow Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus. The proposed fee for Jesus stands at roughly £8.6 million, a figure that reflects both his age and recent injury record.
While the amount is modest compared to the club‑record sum for Martinelli, the deal still represents a significant addition to Arsenal’s summer income and marks the end of a four‑year spell that began with a £45 million transfer from Manchester City. Jesus, now 29, has made 123 appearances for Arsenal, finding the net 32 times across all competitions. However, his involvement in the Premier League last season was limited to just three starts, largely due to a serious knee injury he sustained during a January 2025 FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
That setback kept him out for the majority of the campaign and curtailed his chances of establishing himself as a regular starter. Internationally, the forward has earned 64 caps for Brazil but has not featured for the Selecão since November 2023, a hiatus that further diminished his standing at the club. The Spanish side have been actively scouting for a proven striker to bolster their attacking options this summer. Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick has spoken positively about the club’s recruitment strategy, emphasizing a measured approach that avoids undue pressure on the coaching staff.
In a recent press conference ahead of a match against Rayo Vallecano, Flick praised the work of sporting director Deco, noting the high quality observed during training sessions and the overall direction the squad is heading. While the Jesus deal appears to be moving forward, Barcelona are also rumored to be pursuing Argentine forward Julián Álvarez.
Sky Sports News has clarified that the negotiations for Jesus and Álvarez are being handled independently, suggesting that the Spanish club could potentially secure both attackers if the financial and contractual terms align. Adding another layer to Arsenal’s summer activity, the club have agreed to sell midfielder Fabio Vieira to German side Hamburg for an estimated £7.7 million. Vieira, who joined Arsenal from Porto in 2020, has struggled to cement a regular place in the starting eleven and will now look to restart his career in the Bundesliga.
His departure, alongside those of Martinelli and Jesus, is projected to generate roughly £72 million in total transfer revenue for the Gunners. To date, Arsenal have already secured about £45 million in player sales this transfer window, and the completion of the remaining deals will bring their total earnings close to the £100 million mark when combined with other minor transactions. This influx of funds is expected to give manager Mikel Arteta greater flexibility to reinforce the squad, particularly in areas where depth was lacking last season. The broader context of these moves reflects a shifting landscape in European football, where clubs from outside the traditional top‑five leagues are increasingly willing to invest heavily to attract talent from the Premier League.
Al Hilal’s willingness to break Arsenal’s record demonstrates the financial muscle now available in the Middle East, while Barcelona’s continued pursuit of high‑profile forwards underscores their ambition to return to the summit of European competition after a period of restructuring. For Arsenal supporters, the departure of two popular Brazilian forwards may evoke mixed emotions. Martinelli, a home‑grown talent who rose through the club’s academy, was widely regarded as a future star, while Jesus, despite his injury‑plagued recent seasons, remained a fan favourite for his work ethic and knack for scoring crucial goals.
Nonetheless, the club’s leadership appears confident that the funds generated will enable strategic reinvestment, potentially bringing in young prospects or proven players who can immediately impact the first team. As the transfer deadline approaches, all parties are working diligently to finalize the paperwork.
Martinelli’s medical in Saudi Arabia is scheduled within the next 48 hours, and Jesus is expected to travel to Spain as early as Monday to complete his own medical and contractual formalities. Meanwhile, Vieira’s move to Hamburg is also progressing, with the midfielder set to join his new teammates for pre‑season preparations. In summary, Arsenal’s summer business is shaping up to be a landmark period in the club’s modern history. The record‑breaking sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal, the agreed transfer of Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona, and the departure of Fabio Vieira to Hamburg together promise a substantial financial windfall that could be pivotal in reshaping the squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Fans will be watching closely to see how the club reinvests these resources and which new faces will arrive to fill the void left by these departing stars.