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

Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli has transferred to Al-Hilal in Saudi Pro League for a record £60 million fee. This move marks the end of Martinelli's seven-year tenure with Arsenal. The deal includes a guaranteed £60 million and a sell-on fee. Martinelli, 25, has agreed to a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, who currently sit at the top of the league alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019, and had 12 months left on his contract when he was told by manager Mikel Arteta he wouldn't be part of the team this season. Martinelli expressed his pride in donning the blue jersey of Al-Hilal in an unveiling video on the club's social media channels. He will join England striker Ollie Watkins at Al-Hilal, following Watkins' £51m move from Aston Villa.

Al-Hilal also signed Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham this summer after the team's relegation from the Premier League. It is believed that the wages offered by Al-Hilal are considerably higher than Martinelli's reported £180,000 per week at Arsenal. During his time at Arsenal, Martinelli made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as the Gunners won their first league title since 2004.

However, he was notably left out of the first two matchday squads of the current season, with Arteta making it clear that Martinelli would struggle for game time should he remain at the club. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright criticized the club's decision to exclude Martinelli from the opening game against Coventry, expressing discomfort with how the club is handling the situation.

Wright noted that while some might argue it's time for Martinelli to move on, there should be a more considerate approach to his departure.