Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, marking the most lucrative transfer in Arsenal’s modern history with a fixed‑fee payment of £60 million that also incorporates a sell‑on clause. 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 arrival at Al Hilal is particularly noteworthy because he originally joined Arsenal at the age of 18 from the Brazilian outfit Ituano, meaning the entire £60 million sum registers as pure profit on the Gunners’ financial statements. The 25‑year‑old Brazilian’s decision to head to the Saudi Pro League follows a summer in which he turned down an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Turkish club had tabled a bid of roughly £38.9 million, but Martinelli expressed little enthusiasm for a move to Turkey at that stage of his career, preferring instead the challenge and financial package presented by Al Hilal. By sealing the deal, Arsenal’s total income from player sales this summer now exceeds £120 million, a substantial cash influx that will aid the club’s ongoing restructuring and investment plans.
Martinelli’s transfer arrives on the heels of another high‑profile left‑sided departure: fellow attacker Leandro Trossard was sold to Turkish side Beşiktaş in July. Both moves underline a broader trend of Arsenal off‑loading players who operate on the left flank, while simultaneously seeking to replenish that area. In fact, Arsenal responded to the looming exits by signing Greek forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Tzolis featured in the first two Premier League victories of the season, both of which saw Martinelli unavailable. The Brazilian’s exit has sparked commentary from former Arsenal greats.
After Arsenal’s opening‑day win over Coventry City, ex‑striker Ian Wright told Sky Sports that the handling of Martinelli’s situation left him “uncomfortable” and argued that the 25‑year‑old deserved “more respect” from the club hierarchy. Wright’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among supporters who felt the young forward’s contributions were undervalued. Martinelli’s tenure at the Emirates began in 2019.
Over the course of four seasons he amassed 191 Premier League appearances, netting 41 goals and delivering 24 assists. In the title‑winning campaign of 2022‑23, he featured in 30 league matches, though only 11 of those were starts – the fewest starts he had recorded since the 2020‑21 season. Despite limited starting opportunities, his impact remained significant, as he added 15 goals across all competitions and helped Arsenal break a 22‑year wait for the league crown. With Martinelli’s departure, only one player from Mikel Arteta’s original 2019‑20 squad remains: Bukayo Saka.
Arteta, who took over from Unai Emery on 20 December 2019 after a brief interim spell by Freddie Ljungberg, has overseen a dramatic transformation of the roster. The squad that once featured veterans such as David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette has been reshaped into a title‑contending side, climbing from a 15th‑place finish to Premier League champions within a single season.
William Saliba, another player signed under Arteta, spent the 2019‑20 campaign on loan at Saint‑Étienne and only made his Arsenal debut in the opening game of the 2022‑23 season, a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace. Martinelli’s early years under Arteta were hampered by injuries, yet he flourished in the 2022‑23 season, becoming a key figure in Arsenal’s attack. However, the arrival of new signings such as Christos Tzolis and the emergence of Eberechi Eze have pushed him down the pecking order on the left wing, prompting speculation about his future role. The £60 million transfer fee to Al Hilal not only provides Arsenal with a sizable financial boost but also signals the club’s willingness to cash in on assets that may no longer be first‑choice options.
The transfer list accompanying Martinelli’s move includes several other notable deals: Fabio Vieira to Porto for £7.7 million, Jakub Kiwior to Porto for £19 million, Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş for £17 million, Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona for £8.6 million, Christian Norgaard 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 Arsenal’s broader strategy of balancing squad renewal with fiscal responsibility. Beyond the footballing narrative, the club’s commercial operations have also been highlighted.
A note in the original announcement advises fans to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience, reflecting the growing importance of digital engagement in modern sports media. In summary, Gabriel Martinelli’s switch to Al Hilal represents a historic financial milestone for Arsenal, a strategic shift in the squad’s composition, and a personal new chapter for a player who arrived in London as a teenager and grew into a Premier League champion.
The £60 million fee, coupled with a sell‑on clause, ensures that both clubs stand to benefit from his future performances, while Arsenal’s summer earnings now surpass the £120 million mark, providing a solid foundation for further investment and development.