Arsenal’s Martinelli joins Al-Hilal in £60m move

The Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has transferred to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, concluding his seven-year tenure at Arsenal. The £60m deal includes a guaranteed sum and a sell-on fee, bringing an end to Martinelli's time at north London's Emirates Stadium. At the age of 25, Martinelli has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, currently joint top of their league alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

He arrived at Arsenal from Ituano in 2019, with only a year remaining on his contract at the Emirates. However, manager Mikel Arteta informed Martinelli he wouldn't be part of his plans for the season. Martinelli expressed pride in donning the blue jersey of Al-Hilal in an unveiling video on their social media. He will partner with Ollie Watkins at the Saudi club, following England striker Watkins' £51m move to Al-Hilal from Aston Villa.

Al-Hilal also signed Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham, who had recently been relegated from the Premier League. The wages Al-Hilal offered Martinelli are believed to significantly exceed his reported £180,000 per week deal at Arsenal. Last season, Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal, scoring 11 goals as they secured their first top-flight title since 2004.

However, he was excluded from Arsenal's first two squads of the new season, with manager Arteta making it clear Martinelli would face competition for playing time if he remained at the club. Former Gunners striker Ian Wright criticized Arsenal's decision to sideline Martinelli for the opening match against Coventry, stating that it made him feel uncomfortable with the club's approach to managing his departure.