Arsenal
Al Hilal are stepping up their pursuit of Gabriel Martinelli this summer. The latest transfer news around Arsenal suggests a move is edging closer, with the winger himself open to a switch.
Martinelli’s price tag takes shape
The Saudi club are now in talks with Martinelli’s camp about personal terms. As reported by The Athletic, Arsenal want close to £60million before they agree to sell him. No agreement has been reached yet. Transfermarkt’s current valuation of Martinelli sits at €45million, the exact figure Galatasaray offered earlier this month.
Arsenal already turned down that Galatasaray bid, after Martinelli’s camp told the club a move to Turkey held no appeal for the player. Al Hilal looks far more serious about this pursuit. Their spending power gives them a real chance of meeting Arsenal’s price, another sign of Saudi football’s growing financial muscle. Mikel Arteta left Martinelli out of the squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester City. He was also left out for the first Premier League game of the season, a win over Coventry City.
Arsenal have already sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas this summer, and they also let Christian Norgaard join Everton. Both sales point to a plan to raise funds through outgoing transfers. Arsenal now seem far more willing to sell top players than in past years.
Martinelli’s stats for the 2025-26 season at Arsenal, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Appearances Goals Assists Successful dribbles
Premier League 30 1 4 22
UCL 14 6 2 16
FA Cup 4 4 1 4
EFL Cup 5 0 0 6
From £6m signing to £60m asset
Martinelli joined Arsenal from the Brazilian club Ituano back in 2019, for a fee of just £6million at the time. He has played 278 games for Arsenal in all competitions, and scored 62 goals in that time. Last season alone, he played 53 matches as Arsenal won their first league title since 2003-04. The club also reached the Champions League final that same year.
Even so, his role at Arsenal has clearly faded. He made just 11 league starts last season despite playing 53 games in total, a sign he had already slipped into a rotation role. A fee near £60million would still mark a huge return on Arsenal’s original outlay, given his deal runs only until 2027. The club also holds an option to add one more year to that deal.
How Arteta fills the gap without Gabriel Martinelli
Losing Martinelli would force Arteta to rethink his attack ahead of a tough season. Arsenal have already signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge as a wide option. He looks like the clear choice to replace Gabriel Martinelli if the move goes through. Martinelli’s pace and his direct running have been key to how fast Arsenal move forward. This has mattered most when the team wins the ball back high up the pitch.
Without him, Arteta may need to change how Arsenal attack down the left side. That could mean the full back makes more forward runs down that flank, or a winger moving inside to open up more space instead. Al Hilal are not the only club chasing Martinelli either. Newcastle United and Roma are both said to have made checks on the deal this week.
Al Hilal keep adding to their attacking options this summer, having already signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United. They also sent forward Darwin Nunez out on loan to Al-Diriyah this week. If the Martinelli deal goes through, it would mark another notable departure from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia.
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