Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, marking the most lucrative transfer in Arsenal's history with a reported fee of around £60 million. The agreement is structured as a fixed sum and also contains a sell‑on clause that could bring additional revenue to the London club in the future. This figure eclipses the previous 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 Brazilian outfit Ituano at the age of 18. Because the Gunners signed him on a free transfer, the entire £60 million now recorded on the books can be treated as pure profit, a boost to Arsenal’s financial statements after a summer that has already seen the club generate more than £120 million from player sales. The 25‑year‑old forward’s decision to head to the Saudi Pro League follows a rejected approach from Turkish giants Galatasaray earlier in the summer. Galatasaray had tabled an offer close to £38.9 million, but Martinelli indicated he was not prepared to relocate to Turkey at this stage of his career, preferring instead to explore other opportunities.
Al Hilal’s acquisition of Martinelli arrives shortly after Arsenal also transferred another left‑flank attacker, Leandro Trossard, to Turkish side Beşiktaş in July. The Gunners have already begun to reinforce that side of the pitch, most notably by signing Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Tzolis featured in Arsenal’s opening two Premier League victories, both of which took place without Martinelli in the lineup. Martinelli’s departure has sparked discussion among former players and fans alike. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, speaking to Sky Sports after the first‑day win over Coventry, expressed discomfort with how the club handled the youngster’s exit and argued that Martinelli deserved greater respect given his contributions to the team.
Since joining Arsenal in 2019, Martinelli has amassed 191 Premier League appearances, netting 41 goals and delivering 24 assists. He featured in 30 league matches during the title‑winning 2022/23 campaign, although only 11 of those were starts – his lowest number of starts since the 2020/21 season. His role in that historic season, which ended Arsenal’s 22‑year wait for a Premier League crown, cemented his reputation as a dynamic, left‑sided attacker capable of both scoring and creating chances. With Martinelli’s exit, only Bukayo Saka remains from the squad that Mikel Arteta inherited when he took over as manager on 20 December 2019, succeeding Unai Emery after Freddie Ljungberg’s brief interim spell.
Arteta has since overhauled the roster, phasing out veterans such as David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette and introducing new talent that helped lift the club from a 15th‑place finish to champions. One notable example is William Saliba, who was technically an Arsenal player when Arteta arrived but spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Saint‑Étienne. Saliba made his Premier League debut for the Gunners only in the opening match of the 2022/23 season, a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace, and has since become a key component of the defensive line.
Martinelli’s early years under Arteta were hampered by injuries, but he enjoyed a breakout season in 2022/23, scoring 15 league goals and playing a pivotal part in Arsenal’s title charge. However, his form dipped in the following campaign, and he found himself third in the pecking order for the left‑wing position, behind new signing Christos Tzolis and fellow attacker Eberechi Eze. The transfer also highlights a broader pattern of Arsenal’s summer dealings, which have included several high‑profile moves: 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 Nørgaard to Everton for £7 million, and Karl Hein to Werder Bremen for £2.6 million.
Additionally, young prospect Ethan Nwaneri has been sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund to gain experience. Martinelli’s shift to Al Hiland not only underscores the growing financial pull of the Saudi Pro League but also signals Arsenal’s willingness to capitalize on the market value of its academy graduates. While some supporters may lament the loss of a home‑grown talent, the substantial fee provides the club with resources to reinvest in the squad, potentially targeting new signings to maintain competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions.
The move also reflects a broader trend of European clubs negotiating lucrative exits for players amid the increasing attractiveness of leagues outside the traditional “big‑five.” As the Saudi league continues to invest heavily in star power, more players may follow Martinelli’s example, seeking both a new cultural experience and a financially rewarding contract. In summary, Gabriel Martinelli’s transfer to Al Hilal for an estimated £60 million sets a new benchmark for Arsenal’s transfer income, surpasses previous records, and adds to a summer of extensive player movement. The deal provides Arsenal with a significant financial boost, while Martinelli embarks on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia, where he will aim to showcase his talent on a different stage and help Al Hilal compete for domestic honors.