Arsenal confirm record £60m sale of Martinelli to Al-Hilal

Arsenal have confirmed the sale of forward Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for a club-record fee of £60 million. The transfer, completed on September 3, 2026, ends the Brazilian international's seven-year spell in North London, during which he made 278 appearances and scored 62 goals. Martinelli, 25, has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal. The move was facilitated after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta indicated the player was not part of his plans for the upcoming season, leaving him out of the first two matchday squads. With only 12 months remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, the £60 million fee represents a significant return for the Premier League champions. The deal surpasses the previous club record of £40 million received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017. The winger joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in July 2019. During his time with the club, he won the Premier League title last season, the FA Cup in 2020, and the FA Community Shield in 2023. He was also part of Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he scored the winning goal against Japan.