Gabriel Martinelli joins Al-Hilal from Arsenal in £60m transfer

Terms of the transfer

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a permanent transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for a guaranteed fee of £60 million (€70 million or $81.4 million). The transaction sets a new high for a sale by Arsenal, exceeding the £35 million fee (€38 million) paid by Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017. The agreement includes a sell-on clause for the English club and contains no performance-related add-ons, while Portuguese reports placed the fee at €65 million. Martinelli signed a four-year contract in Riyadh running through 2030.

The Saudi club confirmed the agreement following the conclusion of medical and administrative procedures on Thursday.

The board of directors of Al-Hilal Club, headed by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad, signed Brazilian player Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal FC, to represent Al-Hilal first football team for four years.

Summer negotiations and squad changes

The transfer follows several weeks of market activity surrounding the 25-year-old Brazil international. Arsenal received a €45 million (£38.4 million) bid from Turkish club Galatasaray on 12 August 2026, but the player's camp informed the club that he was not interested in moving to Istanbul. Al-Hilal opened direct talks with Martinelli's representatives on 23 August 2026, leading to a formal agreement between the clubs. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had informed the winger before the season that he was outside first-team plans for the campaign.

Martinelli did not feature in Arsenal's matchday squads for their opening three fixtures of the 2026–2027 season, missing the FA Community Shield victory against Manchester City as well as league wins over Coventry City and Aston Villa. Arsenal had previously explored wide attacking options in the transfer window, registering interest in Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior before the Brazilian signed a contract extension in Spain. Arsenal subsequently signed Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, while attackers Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus departed for Besiktas and Barcelona.

Seven seasons in north London

Martinelli arrived at Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 and went on to make 278 competitive appearances, scoring 62 goals and providing 34 assists. He debuted in August 2019 in a 1-0 win against Newcastle United and produced 10 goals in 26 games during his debut season. His highest scoring campaign occurred in the 2022–2023 season, when he recorded 15 goals and six assists in all competitions. During the 2025–2026 campaign, Martinelli made 53 appearances as Arsenal won their first Premier League title since the 2003–2004 season and reached the UEFA Champions League final.

Arsenal acknowledged Martinelli's seven seasons at Emirates Stadium in a statement published on their website.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gabi for his contribution to the club and wish him and his family well for the future.

Al-Hilal's Premier League recruitment

The signing makes Martinelli the third Premier League forward recruited by Al-Hilal during the 2026 summer transfer window. The Riyadh club acquired Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United in July 2026, followed by the arrival of England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in August 2026. Al-Hilal sits joint-top of the Saudi Pro League standings alongside Al-Nassr. Martinelli, an Olympic gold medallist with Brazil in 2020 who has played in two World Cups and one Copa América, will join Al-Hilal's squad ahead of their upcoming domestic league fixtures.