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‑price deal that also incorporates a sell‑on clause, ensuring Arsenal will benefit from any future transfer involving the Brazilian forward.
This figure eclipses the previous club record set in the summer of 2017 when Arsenal received £40 million for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain's switch to Liverpool. Martinelli arrived at the Emirates Stadium as an 18‑year‑old from his hometown club Ituano in Brazil. Because the initial transfer fee was modest, the recent £60 million outlay translates into a pure profit on Arsenal's financial statements, highlighting the success of the club's youth development and scouting network.
The decision to head to the Saudi Pro League follows Martinelli's rejection of an earlier approach from Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Istanbul‑based side had tabled an offer of roughly £38.9 million, but the 25‑year‑old expressed a preference to avoid a move to Turkey at this stage of his career, opting instead for the challenge and financial package presented by Al Hilal. Martinelli's departure adds to a summer in which Arsenal have generated more than £120 million from player sales.
Earlier in the window, fellow left‑winger Leandro Trossard was transferred to Turkish club Besiktas for a reported £17 million, further underscoring the Gunners' willingness to cash in on valuable assets. In the wake of Martinelli's exit, Arsenal have already taken steps to reinforce the left side of the pitch. The club secured the signing of Greek forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, a player who featured in the starting line‑up for both of Arsenal's opening Premier League victories, while Martinelli was unavailable for those matches. Tzolis' arrival signals a clear intent to maintain depth and competition on the flank.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, speaking to Sky Sports after the first‑day win over Coventry City, voiced discomfort with the way the club handled Martinelli's situation. Wright argued that the Brazilian deserved greater respect and suggested that the handling of his transfer left a sour taste among supporters. Since joining the Gunners in 2019, Martinelli accumulated 191 Premier League appearances, finding the net 41 times and delivering 24 assists.
In the title‑winning 2022/23 campaign, he featured in 30 league games, though only 11 of those were starts – his lowest number of starts since the 2020/21 season. Despite the reduced starting role, his contributions helped Arsenal break a 22‑year drought and clinch the Premier League crown.
With Martinelli's departure, only Bukayo Saka remains from the core group that Mikel Arteta inherited when he took charge on December 20, 2019, succeeding Unai Emery after Freddie Ljungberg’s brief caretaker spell. Arteta has since overhauled the squad, phasing out veterans such as David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette and introducing new talent that propelled the team from a 15th‑place finish to champions.
William Saliba, another player who was on Arsenal's books when Arteta arrived, spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Saint‑Étienne and only made his Premier League debut for the Gunners in the opening match of the 2022/23 season, a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace. Martinelli's early years under Arteta were hampered by injuries, but he hit peak form in the 2022/23 season, scoring 15 goals and playing a vital role in Arsenal's title charge. However, a dip in form and the arrival of new signings such as Christos Tzolis and Eberechi Eze saw him slip to third in the hierarchy of left‑wing options. The transfer also reflects a broader trend of high‑profile moves to Saudi clubs, with several notable names changing allegiances this summer: - Fabio Vieira to Porto for £7.7 million - Jakub Kiwior to Porto for £19 million - Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona for £8.6 million - Christian Nørgaard to Everton for £7 million - Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Borussia Dortmund - Karl Hein to Werder Bremen for £2.6 million These transactions illustrate the increasingly global nature of the football market, where clubs from outside the traditional European powerhouses are willing to invest heavily to attract talent.
Martinelli's move to Al Hilal also offers him a fresh environment to develop his game, compete in the AFC Champions League, and experience a different football culture. While some fans may lament the loss of a home‑grown star, the financial windfall provides Arsenal with resources to reinvest in the squad, youth academy, and infrastructure, potentially laying the groundwork for sustained success in the coming years. Overall, Gabriel Martinelli's transfer to Al Hilal stands as a landmark deal for Arsenal, both financially and symbolically, highlighting the club's ability to nurture talent and capitalize on its market value while also underscoring the evolving dynamics of modern football transfers.