Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a permanent move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the Premier League champions confirmed Thursday.
The clubs did not disclose the transfer fee, but British media reports claim Al-Hilal will pay a guaranteed £60 million ($81 million) for the Brazil international.
At 25, Martinelli becomes the most expensive player to leave Arsenal, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35 million transfer to Liverpool in 2017.
Martinelli has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, who currently sit joint-top of the Saudi Pro League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
“Gabriel Martinelli has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on a permanent transfer,” Arsenal said in a statement.
Martinelli was officially unveiled by his new club, telling Al-Hilal supporters: “Proud to be blue, proud to be Al-Hilal.”
He will join former Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins at the Saudi club after the England international completed an estimated £51 million move.
Martinelli’s departure follows Arsenal’s sale of another left-sided forward, Leandro Trossard, to Besiktas. The Gunners have brought in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, but the departures have raised concerns over their depth in that area.
Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004.
During his Arsenal career, he made close to 300 appearances and scored 62 goals, while also helping the club win the 2020 FA Cup and 2023 Community Shield.
However, Martinelli was left out of Arsenal’s first two matchday squads this season, with manager Mikel Arteta indicating that the forward would face limited opportunities if he remained at the Emirates Stadium.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright had previously criticised the club’s handling of Martinelli, particularly his omission from the squad for the opening match against Coventry.
“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright told Sky Sports.
“I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time for him to move him on’. But there are ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.”
