Al Hilal are close to completing the signing of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli after the Arsenal player approved a move to the Saudi Pro League and negotiations between the two clubs entered their final stages.
Al Hilal have provisionally scheduled his medical for the weekend and hope to announce the deal shortly afterwards, with Mikel Arteta having informed the player that his opportunities would be limited during the new season.
The total value of the deal exceeds €65 million, according to Fabrizio Romano. CBS Sports reported that Arsenal will receive a guaranteed $67.5 million plus $9.3 million in add-ons, taking the overall package to $76.8 million.
Martinelli will earn more than €20 million a year plus bonuses, almost doubling his current pre-tax salary and making him one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League.
The transfer would make Martinelli the most expensive sale in Arsenal’s history, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35 million move to Liverpool, although Brazilian club Ituano will receive a percentage of the profit under their previous agreement with the Gunners.
The 25-year-old is under contract with Arsenal until June 2027, with an option for another season. Earlier in the summer, he rejected a move to Galatasaray despite the Turkish club submitting a €45 million offer, after his representatives informed Arsenal that he did not want to play in Turkey.
The move for Martinelli is part of a major rebuilding of Al Hilal’s attack following Malcom’s departure, Marcos Leonardo’s transfer to Ajax and Darwin Núñez’s loan move to Al-Diriyah. The Saudi club have also signed Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham on a contract running until 2030.
Al Hilal have also added Mohammed Al-Owais, Abdullah Al-Anzi, Sabri Dahl, Mohammed Al-Sarnoukh, Nawaf Al-Habashi and Mohammed Mahzari, while continuing their efforts to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins before the transfer window closes.
Arsenal’s summer departures have included Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş, Jakub Kiwior to Porto, Christian Nørgaard to Everton and goalkeeper Karl Hein to Werder Bremen. Reiss Nelson left after his contract expired, while Josh Nichols joined Croatian club Kustošija.
Martinelli would leave the Emirates after seven years in which he made 278 appearances, scored 62 goals and provided 36 assists. His tally included 11 goals and seven assists in 53 appearances during the 2025-26 season, when Arsenal won the Premier League.
