Arsenal Negotiates Gabriel Martinelli Transfer to Al-Hilal

Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal career is edging towards the exit door, with the club holding talks with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal over a permanent move for the winger.

The Brazil international has been told by Mikel Arteta that he does not feature in the manager’s plans for the coming season, leaving the 23-year-old free to leave the Emirates this summer.

Galatasaray had pushed hard earlier in the window, tabling a £45m bid that Arsenal were prepared to accept. Martinelli, though, refused to entertain a switch to Istanbul, shutting down the Turkish club’s hopes of landing him despite their concrete offer.

The picture is very different with Al-Hilal. The Saudi Pro League giants have informed Arsenal they are ready to go beyond Galatasaray’s £45m proposal as they step up their pursuit of the forward.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and is entering the final 12 months of his contract in north London. With no extension agreed and his role under Arteta shrinking, the club are now looking to cash in rather than risk losing him for nothing.

Al-Hilal’s move for Martinelli comes as part of a wider attacking rebuild, running alongside their efforts to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.