Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a £60 million move from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, ending his seven-year stay at the North London club and becoming the most expensive player ever sold by the Gunners.
According to Sky Sports, the deal includes a fixed transfer fee and a sell-on clause, surpassing Arsenal’s previous record sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £40 million move to Liverpool in 2017.
Martinelli arrived at Arsenal in 2019 from Brazilian club Ituano as an 18-year-old prospect and developed into one of the club’s key attacking players. Because he was signed as a teenager for a relatively modest fee, the £60 million transfer represents a significant financial gain for Arsenal.
The 25-year-old had also attracted interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray, who reportedly offered around £38.9 million, but the Brazilian opted against a move to Turkey, paving the way for Al Hilal to secure his signature.
His departure pushes Arsenal’s earnings from player sales this summer beyond £120 million, following the exits of players including Leandro Trossard, who joined Besiktas.
Martinelli’s final season at Arsenal proved challenging, with increased competition limiting his opportunities. He made 30 Premier League appearances but started only 11 matches — his lowest number of starts since the 2020/21 season.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright had earlier expressed concern over Martinelli’s reduced role, insisting that the Brazilian deserved greater respect for his contributions to the club.
Despite the difficult final campaign, Martinelli leaves Arsenal with an impressive record, having made 191 Premier League appearances, scored 41 goals and provided 24 assists.
His move to Al Hilal also underlines the growing financial power of Saudi Arabian clubs, which continue to attract some of football’s biggest talents with lucrative offers.