Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the clubs announced Friday. The 24-year-old completed a medical and signed a long-term contract with the Riyadh-based club after Arsenal agreed to the transfer outside the Premier League’s official summer window. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in the official announcements from either club.
The transfer, which emerged after English clubs finalized their squad recruitment on August 30, highlights the increasingly global nature of football’s transfer market, where different leagues operate under separate calendar constraints. While Premier League clubs concluded their transfer activity, Saudi Pro League clubs continued negotiating and completing signings under their own regulatory framework.
Martinelli departs North London having established himself as a key component of Arsenal’s attacking unit over four seasons. The Brazilian international scored 25 Premier League goals during his time at the Emirates Stadium, becoming a fan favorite with his pace, work rate, and eye for goal. His contributions helped Arsenal secure the Premier League title last campaign, ending a two-decade drought for the club.
The deal marks Arsenal’s first significant departure of the post-deadline period and raises questions about the club’s forward depth heading into the opening fixtures of the new season. Arsenal had previously reinforced their attacking options during the summer window, adding a replacement forward before the English deadline closed.
For Al-Hilal, Martinelli represents another marquee signing as the Saudi Pro League continues its aggressive pursuit of established European talent. The club, which competes for domestic honours and has ambitions of continental success, secured Martinelli’s signature as the league’s project to establish itself as a destination for international players shows no signs of slowing.
Martinelli’s move to Saudi Arabia places him among an expanding contingent of Brazilian players in the Gulf state, continuing a trend that has seen multiple high-profile South American internationals relocate to the region in recent transfer windows.
The transfer was confirmed Friday morning GMT, with both clubs releasing brief statements acknowledging the completion of the deal. Martinelli is expected to be unveiled to Al-Hilal supporters in the coming days, pending international clearance and visa processing.
What happened
The deal between Arsenal and Al-Hilal was finalized early Friday morning following negotiations that accelerated in the final days before the Premier League’s August 30 deadline. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated Arsenal were receptive to offers for Martinelli as part of their broader squad planning, though the timing of Al-Hilal’s approach meant the transfer could not be completed within the English window.
FIFA regulations permit domestic transfer windows to operate independently, allowing leagues to set their own closure dates within established parameters. The Saudi Pro League’s window remains open, creating the legal framework for deals involving English clubs to proceed despite the Premier League having concluded its business.
Martinelli underwent a medical examination in London before traveling to Saudi Arabia to complete the formalities of his contract. The Brazilian international agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal on a deal reported to run for four years, positioning him among the club’s highest-earning players.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged Martinelli’s contribution in a statement released by the club, describing the forward as a player who gave “everything” during his time at the Emirates Stadium. The club’s official announcement thanked Martinelli for his service and wished him well in his future career.
Al-Hilal’s statement welcomed Martinelli to the club, highlighting his achievements in English football and expressing confidence in his ability to contribute to the team’s ambitions domestically and in continental competition.
Why it matters
The timing and scale of Martinelli’s departure carries significant implications for Arsenal’s immediate prospects and long-term squad composition. As the club prepares to defend its Premier League title, the loss of a proven goalscorer creates questions about the depth and quality of Arsenal’s forward options.
Arsenal had addressed their attacking needs during the summer window by signing a replacement forward before the deadline, a move that now appears to have anticipated Martinelli’s eventual sale. The extent to which that signing can replicate Martinelli’s output will be a key factor in Arsenal’s attacking capability throughout the season.
For the Saudi Pro League, securing a player of Martinelli’s profile demonstrates the league’s continued ability to attract talent from top European clubs. The 24-year-old Brazilian international brings Premier League-winning experience and youth to a league that has invested heavily in established players from the continent’s elite competitions.
The transfer also underscores the evolving dynamics of global football’s transfer market. While the Premier League’s window closure once effectively ended English clubs’ business for the summer, the proliferation of different league calendars has created opportunities for deals to proceed outside traditional frameworks.
From a financial perspective, Arsenal’s decision to sell Martinelli after the deadline suggests the club was satisfied with their summer recruitment and viewed the offer from Al-Hilal as meeting their valuation. The undisclosed fee is expected to represent a significant sum, though the exact figure will likely emerge through football finance reporting in the coming weeks.
Background and context
Martinelli arrived at Arsenal in 2019 from Brazilian club Ituano, initially joining as a teenager with limited European experience. He quickly adapted to English football, scoring goals and demonstrating the technical ability that had attracted interest from multiple European clubs during his development at Ituano.
Over four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, Martinelli became a consistent presence in Arsenal’s starting lineup, developing a productive partnership with Bukayo Saka on the club’s left flank. His 25 Premier League goals represent solid output for a winger, though his contributions extended beyond scoring to include assists, defensive work, and the high-press identity that defined Arsenal’s title-winning campaign.
The 2025-26 season saw Martinelli deliver some of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt, providing crucial goals during the run-in that secured the club’s first league title since 2004. His ability to play across the front three gave Arteta tactical flexibility, and his work ethic made him a favourite among the Arsenal support.
Al-Hilal’s pursuit of Martinelli fits a broader pattern of Saudi Pro League clubs targeting established European players. The league has invested billions in recruitment over the past several transfer windows, attracting players from top clubs across England, Spain, Italy, and France. Brazilian players have featured prominently in this recruitment drive, with Martinelli joining several compatriots already competing in the Saudi league.
For Arsenal, the sale of Martinelli represents a shift in the club’s transfer strategy under Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar. While the club has historically been cautious about selling key players, the emergence of younger options and the financial reality of the post-COVID transfer market has prompted a more pragmatic approach to squad management.
The sale also reflects the growing influence of Saudi Arabian football investment on the European market. Clubs across the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A have received approaches for players as the Saudi Pro League seeks to accelerate its development through high-profile acquisitions.
Analysis:
The transfer of Martinelli to Al-Hilal represents more than a player movement; it signals the Saudi Pro League’s sustained ambition to compete with Europe’s top divisions for talent. At 24, Martinelli is joining the league at an age when most players would be expected to pursue peak years at the highest European level, making his decision noteworthy.
For Arsenal, the timing of this departure raises questions about squad planning and whether the club adequately prepared for life without Martinelli. The signing of a replacement forward before the English deadline suggests some preparation, but the inability to add further options after the deadline leaves Arteta with a reduced pool of attacking players for the early season fixtures.
The financial implications extend beyond the immediate transfer fee. Martinelli’s sale reduces Arsenal’s wage bill while potentially funding further recruitment in subsequent windows. How the club invests those resources will be critical to maintaining their competitive position in the Premier League.
What to watch next
Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend facing Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, a fixture that will test the club’s attacking options without Martinelli available. Arteta will likely lean heavily on the newly signed forward to fill the gap, with Saka expected to shift to the left flank in Martinelli’s absence.
Al-Hilal’s next fixture in the Saudi Pro League will mark Martinelli’s potential debut for his new club, subject to international clearance and registration procedures. The club sits near the top of the table following their strong start to the season, and Martinelli’s arrival adds further quality to an already potent attacking lineup.
The coming weeks will also reveal more about the transfer fee involved in the deal. While official announcements refrained from disclosing figures, reports suggest Arsenal received an offer in the region of £50 million, a sum that would rank among the club’s largest sales in recent history.
Arsenal’s pursuit of further squad additions may intensify if the club identifies gaps exposed by Martinelli’s departure. The January transfer window remains an option for short-term solutions, though Arteta will be eager to work with his current squad through the opening months of the season.
Elsewhere, the Saudi Pro League is expected to continue its recruitment efforts, with several European clubs reporting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs for their players. The Martinelli deal serves as a reminder that the global transfer market operates on multiple timelines, and opportunities for deals can emerge outside traditional windows.
Martinelli’s integration into Al-Hilal’s
Source: Al Jazeera News
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
