MARTINELLI LEAVES ARSENAL FOR AL-HILAL IN RECORD £60M TRANSFER

Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli has completed his move from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, bringing his seven-year spell with the Premier League champions to an end.

The transfer was officially confirmed on Thursday, September 3, with Al-Hilal announcing that the 25-year-old winger had signed a four-year contract. Arsenal also confirmed his departure after the two clubs finalised the agreement.

Although the clubs did not initially disclose the transfer fee, multiple reports put the deal at around £60 million ($81.2 million). That figure makes Martinelli Arsenal's most expensive outgoing transfer, surpassing the previous record held by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's move to Liverpool. Sky Sports reported that the agreement consists of a fixed fee and includes a sell-on clause.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 as an 18-year-old and went on to establish himself as an important attacking option under several managers. During his time in North London, he made 278 appearances, scoring 62 goals and providing numerous assists across domestic and European competitions.

His Arsenal career also included major silverware. Martinelli was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2020, the Community Shield in 2023, and the club's Premier League title in the 2025-26 campaign. He also represented Arsenal in the Champions League before bringing his time at the Emirates to a close.

The Brazilian's departure comes after his role in Mikel Arteta's squad diminished. Despite contributing to Arsenal's title-winning season, Martinelli reportedly started only 11 Premier League matches during that campaign and was left out of the squad for the Community Shield and subsequent league victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa.

Al-Hilal had been pursuing Martinelli for several weeks before the agreement was completed. Earlier reports indicated that the Saudi club had offered a significantly improved financial package compared with his reported Arsenal salary, while the player had previously rejected interest from Turkish club Galatasaray.

Martinelli now joins an Al-Hilal squad that has continued to attract high-profile players from European football. The Saudi club confirmed that he is expected to join first-team training immediately as preparations continue for its league fixture against Al-Shabab.

The move also represents another major chapter in Martinelli's international career. He has earned 27 caps for Brazil and represented his country at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups. He was also part of Brazil's Olympic gold-medal-winning under-23 side at Tokyo 2020.

For Arsenal, meanwhile, Martinelli's exit is another significant attacking departure during a summer in which the club has also seen Gabriel Jesus and other forwards leave. His transfer gives the Gunners a record sale but also leaves Arteta with fewer established options in the wide attacking positions as the club begins its title defence.