Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli has transferred from Premier League champions Arsenal to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. Arsenal announced the move, which was finalized late on Thursday. While no fee was disclosed, British media reports indicate the deal is worth a guaranteed 60 million pounds ($81 million), making Martinelli the most expensive player to leave Arsenal, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 35 million pounds ($47 million) transfer to Liverpool in 2017.
Martinelli has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, who are currently joint-top of the Saudi Pro League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Arsenal's statement confirmed, "Gabriel Martinelli has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on a permanent transfer." In an unveiling video on Al-Hilal’s social media, Martinelli expressed, "Proud to be blue, proud to be Al-Hilal."
He will join Ollie Watkins at Al-Hilal, who transferred from Aston Villa for an estimated 51 million pounds ($69 million). Martinelli's departure follows Arsenal's sale of fellow left-sided forward Leandro Trossard to Besiktas. There are concerns that the exits of Martinelli and Trossard may leave Arsenal short on personnel in that position.
Last season, Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions, scoring 11 goals, contributing to Arsenal’s first top-flight title since 2004. Over his nearly 300 games for Arsenal, he scored 62 goals and was part of the team that won the 2020 FA Cup and the 2023 Community Shield. However, he was excluded from Arsenal’s first two matchday squads of the season, with manager Mikel Arteta indicating that Martinelli would have limited playing time at the Emirates Stadium.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright criticized the club's decision to leave Martinelli out of the squad for the opening game against Coventry, stating, "The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable." Wright acknowledged that while some may believe it was time for Martinelli to move on, the process should consider the player's perspective.
The closure of the European transfer window on Tuesday restricts clubs within Europe from acquiring players but does not prevent them from selling players.