Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli is reportedly nearing a departure from Arsenal to join a Saudi Pro League club.
The move signals a potential shift in Arsenal's attacking lineup and highlights the continued financial pull of the Saudi league on established European talent.
Reports indicate that manager Mikel Arteta said Martinelli should find a new club. While multiple sources link the player to Al-Hilal, other reports suggest Al-Nassr is the destination. The clubs are reportedly close to bridging a valuation gap to finalize the transfer.
Financial details of the potential move vary across reports. Al-Hilal is prepared to pay Martinelli a salary of over $23 million per year [1]. Meanwhile, the transfer fee for the winger is reported to be around £40 million [2].
If the deal is completed, Arsenal could shatter its club record for the biggest transfer exit [3]. The move would see the Brazilian leave London for Riyadh, where the Saudi Pro League has aggressively recruited international stars.
Negotiations have focused on the valuation of the player and the lucrative nature of the salary package offered in Saudi Arabia. The transition comes amid reports of squad dissatisfaction under Arteta's management [2].
“Mikel Arteta has told Martinelli to find a new club”
A sale of Martinelli would provide Arsenal with a significant capital injection but would leave a void in their wing play. The discrepancy between reported destinations—Al-Hilal versus Al-Nassr—suggests that while a Saudi exit is likely, the specific landing spot remains unsettled. This trend reflects a broader pattern of Saudi clubs targeting prime-age players from the English Premier League using salary packages that European clubs cannot match.
