Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli. Photo: Imago.
Arsenal set for club record sale as Martinelli edges closer to Al Hilal
Arsenal could be set to break their record for the most expensive sale in club history amid reports that Gabriel Martinelli is set to move to Saudi club Al Hilal.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the clubs are in negotiations over a deal that would come to ‘around £50/55m (A$95-105m)’ with a contract proposal already sent to the player.
Should the move go through, it would surpass the £35m (A$67m) that the Gunners banked when they sold Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.
In an era of huge transfer fees, Arsenal have been the one Premier League giant left behind in this regard and Martinelli’s sale could help to finally remove the knock on the club that they are unable to cash in properly on their players.
🚨🔵⚪️ Contract proposal has been already sent by Al Hilal to Gabriel Martinelli and his camp to try advance this week.
No issues in club to club agreement with Arsenal as fee being discussed around £50/55m.
🎥➕ https://t.co/C8sZpZH1fS pic.twitter.com/beAkMkjTmu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2026
Of current top-flight sides, the club sits 17th with regards to their most expensive ever sale.
The Brazilian forward has played 278 matches for the Gunners, registering 62 goals and 36 assists since joining the club from Ituano in 2019.
Martinelli was not in the squad as Arsenal beat Coventry City 3-0 on the opening day of the Premier League season over the weekend, with goals scored by Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
Man City join the race for Cody Gakpo
Speculation is increasing over whether Dutch forward Cody Gakpo could leave Liverpool before the end of the transfer window, with Manchester City reportedly joining the race to sign the 27-year-old.
According to Sky Sports, the Cityzens are interested in signing Gakpo, who has also been linked with a move to Tottenham, with Enzo Maresca keen to bolster his forward line amid rumours that Savinho and Omar Marmoush could head to Spurs.
Liverpool are said to be keen on keeping Gakpo, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the club would need to sign two wingers in order to let him leave the club.
The Reds have continue to be linked with a move for PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Newcastle United’s Yakuba Minteh, but there is only a week remaining in the transfer window for deals to materialise.
Gakpo started and scored for Andoni Iraola’s side in their opening round 2-2 draw against the Magpies in the Premier League.
Forest move for Liam Delap
Nottingham Forest are attempting to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap, according to the BBC.
The 23-year-old striker is reportedly available and currently training separately from the first team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Delap was left out of Xabi Alonso’ squad for the club’s opening win over Fulham in the Premier League and has seen his number nine shirt taken by Joao Pedro.
Chelsea signed the striker from Ipswich Town for £30 million (A$57m) a year ago, but he is reportedly valued by the club at £50 million (A$95m), according to The Athletic.
Delap has made 47 appearances for Chelsea, scoring three goals and providing five assists.