Gabriel Martinelli move to Al Hilal could make Arsenal history with record sale

Gabriel Martinelli is close to leaving Arsenal for Al Hilal, with negotiations between the two clubs understood to have reached an advanced stage over a transfer that could make the Brazilian winger the most expensive sale in the London club’s history.

The proposed deal is worth between £50m and £55m, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Arsenal are now prepared to approve the 24-year-old’s departure, although discussions over personal terms with Martinelli are continuing. The player will have the final say over his future.

A move to Al Hilal would not only give the Saudi Pro League club a new wide attacker. It would also establish a new benchmark for Arsenal’s transfer income, overtaking the existing record set by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool in 2017.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s transfer was worth about £35m, according to English reports. If Martinelli joins Al Hilal for the fee currently being discussed, the deal would surpass that figure by a significant margin and become the biggest sale in Arsenal’s history.

Martinelli’s possible departure has become more likely after he was left out of Arsenal’s plans at the start of the season. He was not included in the squad for either the Community Shield fixture against Manchester City or the opening league match against Coventry, a decision that increased uncertainty over his position at the Emirates Stadium.

The developments leave both clubs with important work to complete in the coming days. Al Hilal are seeking to finalise the agreement as they look to replace Malcom and provide manager Simone Inzaghi with another winger.

For Arsenal, the negotiations represent an opportunity to secure a substantial return for a player who has been with the club since 2019. The proposed transfer could therefore serve two purposes: strengthening Al Hilal’s attacking options and setting a new record for an Arsenal sale.

The talks are not yet complete, with Martinelli’s personal terms still under discussion. However, the advanced state of negotiations and Arsenal’s willingness to sanction the transfer have moved the deal closer to completion.

Should the agreement be concluded at the reported value, Martinelli’s move would mark a significant moment for both clubs. Al Hilal would add a high-profile Brazilian wide player, while Arsenal would see a long-standing transfer record finally broken after almost a decade.