Arsenal have confirmed Gabriel Martinelli has joined Al-Hilal on a permanent transfer, bringing his seven-year stay in north London to an end.
The Brazilian leaves after helping Arsenal win the Premier League title last season, with the club announcing his departure on Thursday.
The Guardian reports that Arsenal will receive £60million, making Martinelli the most expensive sale in the club’s history. The agreement is also understood to include a sell-on clause.
Forever a Gunner ❤️
The club can confirm that Gabriel Martinelli has joined Al-Hilal on a permanent deal.
Thank you for everything and best of luck, Gabi 🤝
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2026
Gabriel Martinelli leaves Arsenal for £60m
Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and developed from a relatively unknown teenager into one of the most important attackers of Mikel Arteta’s rebuild.
His best Premier League campaign came in 2022/23, when he scored 15 league goals as Arsenal mounted their first serious title challenge under Arteta.
He remained part of the squad that finally won the Premier League in 2025/26, but his position had become increasingly uncertain before this summer.
Arsenal added Christos Tzolis to their attacking options, while Eberechi Eze can also operate from the left.
That competition ultimately helped open the door for Martinelli to leave.
Our complete Arsenal 2026 transfer round-up tracks every major arrival and departure from Arteta’s summer rebuild.
Martinelli becomes Arsenal’s record sale
The reported £60m fee represents a significant piece of business for Arsenal.
The Guardian says it surpasses the £40m Arsenal received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017, making Martinelli the club’s new record outgoing transfer.
The inclusion of a sell-on clause could also provide Arsenal with further income if Al-Hilal eventually move the Brazilian on.
Martinelli’s departure therefore has a major impact on the financial picture of Arsenal’s summer.
That will be particularly relevant when we publish our upcoming Arsenal net-spend and PSR deep dive, because the £60m changes the overall numbers considerably.
Arsenal attack loses another senior player
Martinelli becomes another major attacking departure following Gabriel Jesus’ move to Barcelona.
Ethan Nwaneri has also joined Borussia Dortmund on loan, while Leandro Trossard has left.
That leaves Arteta with a significantly reshaped attacking hierarchy.
We explored that in our new Arsenal winners and losers deep dive and previously argued in our summer transfer-window verdict that Arsenal’s failure to land another elite attacker leaves one clear risk in an otherwise impressive rebuild.
Martinelli’s confirmed exit only sharpens that question.
Martinelli’s Arsenal chapter ends
Whatever the tactical reasons behind his departure, Martinelli leaves with a significant Arsenal legacy.
He arrived as a teenager, became a full Brazil international and helped Arsenal return to the top of English football.
The final transfer also represents exceptional value on Arsenal’s original investment.
Now, after seven seasons in north London, his next chapter will begin in Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Chelsea as Arteta faces three huge selection calls
Arsenal predicted XI vs Chelsea as Arteta faces three huge selection calls
Gabriel Jesus reveals major sacrifice behind £8.6m Arsenal exit
Gabriel Jesus reveals major sacrifice behind £8.6m Arsenal exit