Al-Hilal open talks to sign Arsenal winger Martinelli

Arsenal have engaged in preliminary negotiations with Saudi Arabian football club Al-Hilal regarding the transfer of winger Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian player is currently unrestricted in his ability to transfer during the summer transfer window. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has communicated to Martinelli that he is not part of the club's future plans.

Initially, Turkish side Galatasaray expressed interest in signing Martinelli during the summer transfer period, but the Brazilian winger was not interested in a move to Istanbul. It is reported that Al-Hilal has indicated to Arsenal that they are prepared to submit a higher bid than Galatasaray's offer. Martinelli, who transferred to Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019, has one year left on his contract with the London-based club.

Last season, Martinelli featured in 53 matches across all competitions for Arsenal, contributing 11 goals as the team secured the Premier League title. But Martinelli was notably absent from Arsenal's starting lineup for their league opener against Coventry on Friday, which the Gunners won 3-0. Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright criticized the club's decision to exclude Martinelli from the starting eleven, as well as their treatment of the forward.

Wright told Sky Sports, "The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable. I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, 'yeah, it's time for him to move him on'. But there's ways of doing that, and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave." According to BBC Sport, Al-Hilal's pursuit of Martinelli aligns with their interest in signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

The England international did not make an appearance in Aston Villa's opening weekend match against Brighton on Sunday, with manager Unai Emery declining to assure the public that Watkins would remain at Villa Park.