Arsenal are in active talks to sell winger Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for a fee in the region of £60million, following his absence from recent matchday squads. The 25-year-old Brazil international is open to the move after rejecting an earlier proposal from Galatasaray.
Al-Hilal Pursues Winger Amid Squad Exodus
The Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal have entered direct talks with both Arsenal and the player’s camp regarding a potential deal. The north London club have set an asking price of around £60million for the 25-year-old, whose contract runs until 2027 with an option for an additional 12 months.
While no final agreement has been reached with Al-Hilal, negotiations continue, and the winger is open to playing in Saudi Arabia.
Bench Exile and the Search for Fresh Attacking Blood
Martinelli’s departure follows a summer of significant squad reshaping under manager Mikel Arteta. Last season, Martinelli made 53 appearances as Arsenal secured their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 campaign and reached the Champions League final, but he managed only 11 league starts.
The club’s attacking ranks have shifted with the arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge to occupy the left-wing position. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard was sold to Besiktas for €20m, and Christian Norgaard joined Everton for £7m, as player trading remains a central part of Arsenal’s summer strategy. Arteta’s side also registered an interest in Vinicius Junior before the Brazilian signed a long-term contract extension with Real Madrid.
Ian Wright Criticises Club’s Treatment of the Forward
The handling of Martinelli’s impending exit has drawn sharp criticism from Arsenal icon Ian Wright. Speaking on Sky Sports following the win over Coventry, Wright expressed discomfort with how the club’s longest-serving current forward has been phased out.
“In respects to Martinelli and the way Martinelli has been treated at the moment it really makes me feel uncomfortable. Because he always gives 100 per cent, I’m not saying he’s the greatest, he’s really come up with some big moments for Arsenal, some big games, he’s scored some very important goals… the way he’s been treated at the end here, I know they might want him out, and there’s a lot of people saying, ‘yeah, maybe it’s time for him to move on’, but there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.”
Ian Wright, via Metro.co.uk
Wright noted that Martinelli has just one year remaining on his deal, pointing out that being left out of squads without communication leaves the player in limbo, Metro.co.uk noted. Despite the arrival of new competition, Wright suggested the player still believes he has something to offer the squad.
Origins and the Wider Squad Clear-Out
Martinelli arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2019 as a little-known teenager from Brazilian side Ituano in a £6m deal, recommended by scout Francis Cagigao. Over seven seasons, he has made 278 first-team appearances and scored 62 goals.
Should his move to Al-Hilal proceed, he would join a Saudi Pro League side that recently added Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United in July. As the transfer window draws toward its close, Arsenal are weighing further departures, with Gabriel Jesus also expected to leave as a free agent at the end of the season if a permanent exit is not secured beforehand.
