Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al‑Hilal, the north London club said, in a transfer British outlets reported to be worth around £60m (€70m) and including a sell‑on clause.
- Gabriel Martinelli has joined Al‑Hilal from Arsenal on a four‑year deal; clubs said the transfer was permanent.
- Major outlets reported the fee at roughly A360m (about A370m/€70m) and said the deal includes a sell‑on clause; Arsenal did not disclose the fee publicly.
- Martinelli had reduced playing prospects at Arsenal this season; the move follows other high‑value Saudi signings this summer.
- Sources disagree on exact financial details; official club statements did not list the fee.
What Arsenal and Al‑Hilal announced
Arsenal confirmed the permanent transfer on Thursday and described Martinelli as having been part of the clubs recent trophy run. Al‑Hilal unveiled the 25‑year‑old in club colours and published an unveiling video in which Martinelli said he was “proud to be blue, proud to be Al‑Hilal,” according to the Saudi clubs social posts.
Reported financial terms and contract length
Media outlets disagree slightly on reported figures but converge on the same broad outline. Several sources reported a guaranteed fee of about A360m (roughly A3m to A3m in different accounts) with additional reporting that the package equates to A370m (about A370m/A370m) or A370m in total; some outlets described the package as A370m (about A370m). The transfer is widely described as including a sell‑on clause and a four‑year contract for Martinelli.
Player background and Arsenal record
Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and made close to 278 appearances for the club across seven seasons, scoring in excess of 60 goals and helping Arsenal win the 2023 Community Shield, the 2020 FA Cup and last seasons Premier League title, according to club records summarised by reporting outlets. He also earned senior Brazil caps and featured in recent international tournaments, per published accounts.
Why the move happened now
Reporting indicates Martinelli had fallen down Arsenal manager Mikel Artetas pecking order and was not included in Arsenals matchday squads at the start of the season. Outlets quoted Artetas indication that Martinelli would struggle for game time if he stayed. Arsenal also completed departures including Leandro Trossard before the move, while bringing in Christos Tzolis as cover on the left, suggesting the club judged its left‑side options manageable despite the sale.
Reaction and context inside English football
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was reported criticising how Martinelli had been treated around squad omissions, saying he felt uncomfortable with the way the situation was handled, according to broadcasting reports. The transfer also continues a broader 2026 summer pattern of high‑value moves from the Premier League to Saudi clubs, with Al‑Hilal already signing other English‑based players this window.
How this changes Arsenals squad
Arsenal lose a left‑sided attacking option who played regularly in the title season. Published reports note that Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka can operate on the left and will be asked to cover more minutes. Arsenal did not announce an incoming replacement linked directly to the Martinelli sale.
Al‑Hilals recruitment and Saudi Pro League timing
Al‑Hilal have pursued an aggressive recruitment strategy this summer, adding players on large fees as they bid to build a potent attack. Reporting places the Saudi transfer window open beyond the European deadline, which allowed this move to be completed after the English window closed. Al‑Hilal are managed by Simone Inzaghi, and the side already features Cristiano Ronaldos league rivals and other high‑profile signings this summer.
Timeline: How the transfer developed
- Late August: Reports say Arsenal and Al‑Hilal entered advanced talks on a transfer.
- After the European window closed: Negotiations continued; a verbal agreement was reported before paperwork was finalised.
- Early September: Clubs announced the transfer; media reported the fee at about A360m–A370m, with a four‑year deal and sell‑on clause.
Unresolved points and discrepancies
Public sources vary on the exact headline figure: several major outlets reported a guaranteed A360m while other reports gave the package in euros or noted the total as equivalent to A370m. The clubs official statements did not publish the fee. Reports also differ slightly over the exact financial breakdown and Martinellis weekly wages under the new contract; these numbers have not been confirmed by Arsenal or Al‑Hilal in their announcements.
Practical implications for fans in the UAE
For Arsenal supporters in the United Arab Emirates, the sale removes a familiar attacking figure from a title‑winning squad and strengthens an important Middle Eastern club that will play continental competitions across the region. Fans following Martinellis career can watch him as part of Al‑Hilals Saudi Pro League fixtures; the Saudi window remains open into early September, and Al‑Hilals matches will be scheduled across regional broadcasters.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the final paperwork and international registration to make Martinelli eligible for Al‑Hilal.
- Any further details from Arsenal or Al‑Hilal on financial terms, including the sell‑on clause and wages.
- How Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta adjusts his left‑flank options in competitive matches this season.
- Martinellis role in Al‑Hilals starting XI under Simone Inzaghi and his adaptation to the Saudi Pro League.
Reporting in this article is based on club statements and coverage by multiple international outlets that published the transfer on 3–4 September 2026. Where figures and contractual details vary between sources, the article notes the discrepancies rather than presenting unconfirmed sums as club statements.