- Gabriel Martinelli has completed a €70 million move from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal
- The transfer has become Arsenal’s record sale, surpassing the £35m fee received when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in 2017
- Both clubs confirmed the deal on Thursday, with Al Hilal signing Martinelli to represent their first football team for four years
Martinelli Leaves Arsenal for Al Hilal
Gabriel Martinelli has left Arsenal after seven years at the club, completing a €70 million transfer to Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal. Both clubs announced the move on Thursday, confirming the Brazilian forward’s departure from the English champions.
Al Hilal have signed Martinelli on a four-year agreement, with the package deal from Arsenal also including a sell-on clause as part of the final arrangement.
“The board of directors of Al Hilal Club, headed by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad, signed Brazilian player Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal FC, to represent Al Hilal first football team for four years,” Al Hilal said on their website.
“Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gabi for his contribution to the club and wish him and his family well for the future,” the English champions said on their website.
Welcome to Al-Hilal, Martinelli 🤩🔝 pic.twitter.com/4sX5N6jaJb
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) September 3, 2026
Record Sale for Arsenal
Martinelli’s move has set a new benchmark for Arsenal’s outgoing transfer business. The €70m package makes him the club’s record sale, eclipsing the £35m deal that took Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Gabriel Martinelli |
| From | Arsenal |
| To | Al Hilal |
| Transfer package | €70million |
| Contract length | Four years |
| Additional agreement detail | Sell-on clause secured as part of the agreement |
| Arsenal record sale surpassed | £35m Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move to Liverpool in 2017 |
Seven Years, 278 Games and Three Trophies
Martinelli joined Arsenal in 2019 and went on to make 278 appearances in all competitions. During that spell, the 25-year-old scored 62 goals and helped the club win the Premier League last season, the FA Cup in 2020 and the FA Community Shield in 2023.
| Arsenal Career Metric | Total / Detail |
|---|---|
| Years at Arsenal | Seven |
| Joined Arsenal | 2019 |
| Age | 25 |
| Appearances | 278 |
| Goals | 62 |
| Major honours mentioned | Premier League last season, FA Cup in 2020, FA Community Shield in 2023 |
Martinelli’s Farewell Message
Gabriel Martinelli on leaving Arsenal: “I’ve spent seven years at this club. I feel like an adopted Hale End boy, you could say. I found a family that took care of me and watched me grow throughout all these years.
“I can only thank the staff and my teammates. Thank you to the chefs, kit staff, doctors, doormen, security staff, media team, cleaning staff, physios, and every single teammate who has been part of my story from 2019 until today. Thank you to everyone who helped me grow during this journey.
“And to the fans, thank you for everything. Since my first day, you made me feel at home. Every time I stepped on the pitch, despite everything, I tried to give everything I had for this shirt.
“To Arsenal, thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to show myself to the world.”
Al Hilal Continue Premier League Recruitment
Martinelli is not the only Premier League player to join Al Hilal this year. His move follows the arrivals of Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United and Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, further strengthening the Saudi club’s squad with players from England’s top flight.
