Martinelli becomes Arsenal's record sale, eclipsing the £35m deal which took Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017. Michael Regan / Getty ImagesSept. 3, 2026 Updated Sept. 6, 2026Gabriel Martinelli has completed a €70million (£60m; US$81.4m) move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal from Arsenal.Martinelli becomes Arsenal’s record sale, eclipsing the £35m deal which took Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.Al Hilal’s fee for 25-year-old Martinelli is guaranteed and does not include add-ons, but does include a sell-on clause for the Premier League champions.The Athletic reported on August 23 that Al Hilal were pursuing a deal to sign Martinelli, with the Saudi club in talks with the 25-year-old’s camp over a potential move.Martinelli was left out of the matchday squad for Arsenal’s opening three games of the season – the wins over Manchester City in the Community Shield, and Coventry City and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
He chose Blue 💙 pic.twitter.com/DqGwvrCipX
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) September 3, 2026The Athletic reported on August 12 that Arsenal had received a €45million (£38.4m; $51.8m) offer from Galatasaray for Martinelli but the his camp later informed the Premier League club that he was not interested in the proposed move.Martinelli is the third attacker signed by Al Hilal from clubs in last season’s English top-flight this summer, after Crysencio Summerville joined from West Ham United in July and Ollie Watkins arrived from Aston Villa last month.Martinelli was under contract with Arsenal until 2027, with the club holding an option to extend by a further 12 months.Arteta’s side have signed winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge this summer, while Leandro Trossard joined Besiktas and Gabriel Jesus left for Barcelona. The north London club also registered an interest in Vinicius Junior, before the Brazil international signed a new long-term contract with Real Madrid.Martinelli made 53 appearances for Arsenal last season as they won a first Premier League title since 2003-04 and reached the Champions League final.Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 and has made 278 first-team appearances, scoring 62 goals.
