Arsenal's Martinelli joins Al-Hilal in £60m move

What the report says

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in a transfer reported by BBC Sport Football as worth a guaranteed £60m, with a sell-on fee also included. The 25-year-old Brazil international has signed a four-year contract and leaves north London after seven years with Arsenal.

BBC Sport said Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and had one year left on his deal at Emirates Stadium. The report added that manager Mikel Arteta had indicated the winger was not part of his plans for the season, and that Martinelli had already been left out of Arsenal’s first two matchday squads. Last season, he made 53 appearances in all competitions and scored 11 goals as Arsenal won the top-flight title.

Al-Hilal are currently joint-top of the Saudi Pro League and are managed by Simone Inzaghi. The club have also added other familiar names this summer, including England striker Ollie Watkins and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville. The move reflects the continuing pull of Saudi football, where clubs have been offering substantial fees and wages for established European players.

Martinelli is quoted in an unveiling video as saying he is proud to join Al-Hilal. His departure, following a difficult start to the season at Arsenal, ends a long spell in which he developed into a regular first-team player in the Premier League.