Gabriel Martinelli turned down offers from clubs in the Premier League, Italy and Germany before completing a club-record £60million move to Al-Hilal, his agent Marcos Casseb has confirmed. The switch closes a seven-year chapter at Arsenal for the Brazilian winger, who leaves as the club’s biggest-ever sale.
Details of the Gabriel Martinelli transfer had been circulating for weeks, but Casseb has now set out how the move came together, including the rival interest that Martinelli chose to turn down.
Gabriel Martinelli rejected Premier League and European offers before Al-Hilal move
Casseb confirmed that several clubs across three countries made approaches before Al-Hilal’s bid arrived. “Did he get offers? He did yeah. We had offers from Italian clubs, we had offers from German clubs and we had offers from other Premier League clubs but it was a moment when I think he needed and he also wanted to clear his head a bit, to change scenery.”
Casseb did not name the specific clubs. Instead, Martinelli opted for a fresh start in Saudi Arabia, in comments made by Marcos Casseb that gave the clearest account yet of why the winger left Emirates Stadium this summer.
Marcos Casseb details seven-year Arsenal tenure and record transfer fee
Casseb explained that the timing felt right for both player and club after seven successful years in north London. “His time at Arsenal has come to an end. It was seven years; he arrived there at 18 years old. Arsenal underwent a massive restructuring and, last year, they won the Premier League. We felt it was time for him to move on, and the club had also seen it that way. It was a very good departure for him and for Arsenal.”
The Gabriel Martinelli transfer also broke Arsenal’s record sale fee. “Besides everything else, he also became Arsenal’s biggest-ever sale and he still helped Arsenal make a lot of money from his departure,” Casseb added.
Martinelli’s exit follows Arsenal’s agreed deal for Gabriel Jesus exit earlier in the window, part of a summer that has reshaped Mikel Arteta’s forward options significantly.
Al-Hilal form, Brazil omission, and Mikel Arteta squad impact
Martinelli has made an instant impact in Saudi Arabia, scoring a hat-trick for Al-Hilal against Al-Taawoun in his early appearances for the club. Casseb pointed to the project he has joined. “He went to the biggest club in Asia to be part of a very ambitious project. You can see it in the players that they have brought in, three players who were at the World Cup, each with their respective national teams and three players that are under 27.”
Despite that form, Martinelli was left out of Brazil’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Australia and India.
Back at Arsenal, Arteta has had to reshape his attacking options without Martinelli available. The club’s matchday team selection for the trip to Brighton reflected that adjustment, while Arsenal have also been credited with interest in attacking target Nico Paz as part of a separate, ongoing conversation about the squad.
Contract duration and future ambition for Corinthians return
Martinelli has signed a four-year deal at Al-Hilal that runs until he turns 29. Casseb confirmed the length of the contract and outlined where Martinelli’s long-term future lies. “He has four years left on his contract there, until he’s 29. He does dream of returning, playing for Corinthians, the club he left, his passion. He wants to come back someday.”
Asked directly whether Martinelli would eventually return to Brazilian football, Casseb kept the door open. “I think a little further down the line, yes.”
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