Arsenal have sold Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal for a club-record £60 million, ending the Brazilian winger’s seven-year stay in north London days before the Saudi transfer window shuts.
The record-breaking deal
The move, confirmed by BBC Sport, is worth a guaranteed £60 million and includes a sell-on clause, making it the most expensive sale in Arsenal history. It surpasses the £40 million the club received for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017. Martinelli has signed a four-year contract with Al Hilal, who sit joint top of the Saudi Pro League with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Why he left
Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019, had 12 months left on his deal and was told by manager Mikel Arteta he was not part of his plans this season. He was left out of Arsenal’s first two matchday squads despite playing 53 times and scoring 11 goals last season as the Gunners won their first Premier League title since 2004.
His departure follows that of his Brazil teammate Gabriel Jesus, who joined Barcelona this week in a separate Arsenal fire sale that has reshaped the champions’ attack.
A new-look Al Hilal
Martinelli is the third marquee arrival under manager Simone Inzaghi this summer, teaming up with Ollie Watkins, the England striker who joined in a £51 million deal from Aston Villa, and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville. His reported wages at the Riyadh club are significantly higher than the £180,000 a week he earned at the Emirates.
| Detail | Martinelli to Al Hilal |
|---|---|
| Fee | £60 million guaranteed (club record) |
| Contract | Four years |
| Previous Arsenal record sale | £40m, Oxlade-Chamberlain (2017) |
| Arsenal tenure | Seven years (2019 to 2026) |
| Last season | 53 apps, 11 goals, PL title |
What it means for Arsenal
The record fee gives Arsenal room to pursue a replacement, with the club linked to Julian Alvarez after selling both Martinelli and Jesus. It follows a summer of record transfer deals across Europe that has reshaped several top clubs. For Martinelli, the deal secures a lucrative long-term contract in a Saudi league that has anchored its project on superstar arrivals since Cristiano Ronaldo’s landmark move.
