Arsenal have reached an agreement with Al-Hilal to sell winger Gabriel Martinelli to the Saudi Pro League club, according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano. The squad churn in the Premier League continues as we enter the final 48 hours of the transfer window.
Romano states that the Saudi giants will pay a fee over €65 million for the 25-year-old winger to join them this summer.
Martinelli has received authorisation to travel to Riyadh to complete the formalities of a transfer in the next 24 hours, after which he will sign in as a new Al-Hilal player.
The Gunners will receive a club-record fee for his sale, and could reinvest the funds in the final day of the window.
How the Al-Hilal Deal for Gabriel Martinelli Came Together
The agreement between Arsenal and Al-Hilal for Gabriel Martinelli will likely conclude the business of the Saudi side with English clubs this summer.
They have signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham and Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa as they look to reclaim the Saudi Pro League title from Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr.
Al-Hilal were looking to bring in another winger this summer, with Chelsea's Pedro Neto on their shortlist alongside Martinelli.
They were priced out of a move for the Portugal international, for whom Chelsea were looking to pay €100 million.
They pivoted to Arsenal man Martinelli and reached an agreement with him on personal terms before agreeing on a deal with the Gunners.
Martinelli had earlier turned down the opportunity to move to Turkish outfit Galatasaray, who had submitted a €45 million bid for him.
The €65 million agreement will include add-ons, and the winger will sign a long-term deal with Al-Hilal, replacing Malcom.
Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal Journey: From Brazilian Prospect to Premier League Star
Gabriel Martinelli began his professional career at Brazilian fourth-tier outfit Ituano, becoming the club's youngest player of the 21st century.
He joined Arsenal for £6 million (€7m) in 2019 and made his debut for the Gunners at the start of the 2019-20 season.
The pacey winger played 26 times in his first season in English football, recording a hugely impressive tally of ten goals and three assists.
He became a key player for the club in the 2021-22 season, appearing 36 times across all competitions.
He played a key role as the Gunners won the Premier League title and reached the UEFA Champions League final in the 2025-26 season.
He scored six goals and provided two assists in 14 Champions League games, and scored once in the league for the side, a key goal in their dramatic draw against Manchester City.
The club decided to let go of the player at the end of the season, and they brought in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and also sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas..
Martinelli was left out of their first two matchday squads for the 2026-27 season to drive home their point, leaving him with no option but to move elsewhere.
He accepted a move to Saudi Arabia, where he will expect to play a starring role under Simone Inzaghi.
In total, Martinelli appeared 278 times for the Gunners, scoring 62 goals and providing 34 assists.
Lessons for Young Players from Gabriel Martinelli’s Path So Far
Gabriel Martinelli's journey so far is a lesson for young players to make the most of every opportunity they get in professional football.
He was originally signed from Ituano to play in Arsenal's U-21 team, but quickly established himself as first-team material when opportunities came his way in pre-season.
Young players must also consistently put in the work required to reach the summit of their careers, as Martinelli's hard work and graft allowed him to become a first-team regular for the Gunners.
Similarly, young players must recognise the right time to move on from a team, particularly when they are required to move. The culture of remaining where they are not wanted must be abolished, and they should move to where they will play regularly.
