Martinelli Leaves Arsenal For Al-Hilal In £60m Transfer

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a £60 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, bringing an end to his seven-year spell with the Premier League champions.

The Brazilian international has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal after the Saudi club agreed a deal reportedly worth a guaranteed £60 million, with Arsenal also set to benefit from a sell-on clause.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and became a key figure during his time in north London.

He made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as the Gunners won the English top-flight title for the first time since 2004.

However, with only 12 months remaining on his Arsenal contract, the 25-year-old was reportedly informed by manager Mikel Arteta that he was no longer part of the club’s plans for the new season.

He was subsequently left out of Arsenal’s first two matchday squads, with his limited prospects for regular playing time paving the way for his departure.

Speaking after his unveiling, Martinelli expressed his excitement about beginning a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.
“Proud to be blue, proud to be Al-Hilal,” Martinelli said in a video released by the club.

At Al-Hilal, Martinelli will link up with England striker Ollie Watkins, who recently joined the Saudi club from Aston Villa in a £51 million deal.

The Brazilian will also join Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville among Al-Hilal’s new arrivals as the club continues to strengthen its squad under manager Simone Inzaghi.

Reports indicate that Martinelli’s new salary package is significantly higher than his previous Arsenal wages, which were believed to be around £180,000 per week.

His departure marks the end of an era for Arsenal, where Martinelli developed from a promising teenager into one of the club’s most recognisable attacking players before making the switch to the Saudi Pro League.
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