Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a £60 million transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, bringing his seven-year spell with the Gunners to a close.
The transfer guarantees Arsenal a fee of £60 million and also includes a sell-on clause. Martinelli’s departure marks the end of his time in north London after first arriving at the club in 2019.
The 25-year-old Brazil international has agreed to a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, who are currently joint leaders of the Saudi Pro League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Martinelli Leaves Arsenal After Seven Years
Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and went on to establish himself as an important attacking player for the Gunners.
However, with just 12 months remaining on his Arsenal contract, his future at the Emirates Stadium became increasingly uncertain.
Manager Mikel Arteta had made it clear that Martinelli was not part of his plans for the current season, meaning regular first-team opportunities were unlikely if the winger remained in London.
Martinelli has now opted for a new challenge in Saudi Arabia.
During his official unveiling, the Brazilian expressed his excitement about joining his new club.
“Proud to be blue, proud to be Al-Hilal,” Martinelli said in a video published across Al-Hilal’s social media channels.
Al-Hilal Strengthen Their Squad
Martinelli will join a growing collection of players with Premier League experience at Al-Hilal.
Among them is Ollie Watkins, who moved from Aston Villa to the Saudi club in a £51 million deal.
Al-Hilal have also added Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville to their squad after signing him from West Ham during the summer.
The Saudi club are managed by Simone Inzaghi, who took charge as Al-Hilal look to compete at the top end of the domestic league.
Martinelli’s move is also expected to deliver a significant increase in earnings.
Reports indicate that the salary offered by Al-Hilal is considerably higher than his reported £180,000-a-week contract at Arsenal.
Martinelli’s Arsenal Record
Martinelli leaves Arsenal after making a significant contribution during his final campaign.
The forward made 53 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as Arsenal secured the top-flight title for the first time since 2004.
Despite that involvement, his position within Arteta’s squad changed during the opening stages of the new season.
Martinelli was not included in Arsenal’s first two matchday squads, with Arteta indicating that the player would face limited opportunities for regular football if he stayed at the club.
That situation ultimately accelerated his departure.
Ian Wright Criticises Arsenal’s Handling of Martinelli
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright had previously questioned the way Martinelli was being treated by the club.
Wright was particularly unhappy with the decision to leave the Brazilian out of the squad for Arsenal’s opening match against Coventry.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former England international said he was uncomfortable with the situation surrounding Martinelli.
Wright acknowledged that Arsenal may have decided it was time for the forward to move elsewhere, but argued that the club should have handled the process in a way that also respected the player’s wishes over his departure.
Martinelli’s move to Al-Hilal now gives him the opportunity to begin a new chapter after seven seasons with Arsenal.
The Brazilian leaves behind a lengthy spell in the Premier League and joins an ambitious Al-Hilal side competing for honours in Saudi Arabia.
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