Gabriel Martinelli Transfer: Al-Hilal Open Arsenal Talks as Arteta Approves Summer Exit

Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal career could be approaching its conclusion after the Premier League champions opened talks with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal over a potential summer transfer.

The Brazilian winger has reportedly been told by manager Mikel Arteta that he is no longer central to Arsenal’s plans, opening the door for a departure before the transfer window closes.

Al-Hilal have now emerged as serious contenders for Martinelli’s signature and are understood to be prepared to offer Arsenal more than the €45m (£38.54m) previously proposed by Galatasaray.

With only 12 months remaining on Martinelli’s contract, Arsenal face an important decision: sell the 25-year-old now for a significant fee or risk seeing his market value fall as he moves closer to becoming a free agent.

Why Could Gabriel Martinelli Leave Arsenal?

Martinelli’s potential departure represents a significant change in his status at the Emirates Stadium.

The Brazil international has been part of Arsenal’s first-team setup since arriving from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and developed into one of the most recognisable players of Arteta’s project.

However, the situation appears to have changed dramatically.

Arteta has reportedly made it clear to Martinelli that the winger is not part of his plans moving forward.

That message became even more apparent when Martinelli was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their opening Premier League match against Coventry, which the defending champions won 3-0.

For a player who made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, his complete omission was a major indication that Arsenal are ready to move on.

Al-Hilal Ready to Beat Galatasaray’s £38.5m Offer

Al-Hilal’s interest gives Arsenal a potentially lucrative solution.

Galatasaray had already attempted to sign Martinelli earlier in the summer, submitting a €45m (£38.54m) bid.

However, Martinelli was reportedly unwilling to consider a move to Istanbul.

Al-Hilal could now present a more financially attractive option for Arsenal.

The Saudi club have communicated that they are prepared to offer more than Galatasaray’s proposal, potentially giving the Gunners an opportunity to secure a sizeable fee despite Martinelli entering the final year of his contract.

The bigger question could be whether Martinelli wants the move.

Arsenal may be willing to sell, and Al-Hilal may be willing to pay, but the Brazilian’s approval remains essential before any transfer can progress.

Martinelli Has Just 12 Months Remaining on Arsenal Contract

Martinelli’s contract situation strengthens Arsenal’s incentive to complete a deal this summer.

With only one year remaining, the club risks entering a difficult negotiating position if he stays.

Unless a new contract is agreed, Martinelli could eventually move closer to leaving without Arsenal receiving anything close to his current transfer value.

For a club competing at the highest level and continually investing in its squad, allowing a valuable asset to reach that stage would be undesirable.

Selling now could therefore provide Arsenal with funds to reinvest elsewhere.

From Ituano Prospect to Premier League Champion

Martinelli’s potential departure would close an important chapter in Arsenal’s recent history.

When Arsenal signed him from Ituano in 2019, he arrived as a relatively unknown Brazilian prospect.

He subsequently developed into a regular first-team player and became an important part of the young squad Arteta built into Premier League contenders.

His pace, direct running and willingness to attack defenders made him particularly dangerous from the left wing.

Last season, Martinelli remained heavily involved as Arsenal finally ended their long wait for another Premier League championship.

He made 53 appearances across all competitions and scored 11 goals during the title-winning campaign.

That makes the speed of his apparent fall from favour particularly striking.

Why Would Arsenal Sell Martinelli After Winning the League?

The decision demonstrates the ruthless nature of maintaining a title-winning squad.

Winning the Premier League does not necessarily mean a team stops evolving.

In fact, remaining at the top often requires difficult decisions involving players who contributed to previous success.

Arsenal have strengthened significantly and Arteta now has greater competition across his squad.

If the manager believes another profile would provide more creativity, consistency or goals from the left side, selling Martinelli while he retains substantial market value could make strategic sense.

The Gunners are attempting to build a team capable not only of defending the Premier League title but also challenging for the Champions League.

That can result in established players being moved on.

Ian Wright Questions Arsenal’s Treatment of Martinelli

Not everyone agrees with how the situation has been handled.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright publicly expressed concern after Martinelli was omitted from the squad against Coventry.

Wright accepted that Arsenal may have decided it is time to sell the Brazilian but questioned whether the process was being managed appropriately.

His wider point was that a player who has contributed significantly to the club should also have some consideration given to how he leaves.

That criticism adds another dimension to the transfer saga.

Arsenal’s footballing decision may be clear, but supporters may debate whether Martinelli deserves a different conclusion to his seven-year spell in north London.

Arteta Has Explained His Position to Martinelli

Arsenal’s position, however, appears to be that there has been direct communication between manager and player.

Arteta is understood to have spoken with Martinelli and explained both his position and the reasons behind his recent omission.

That is important because Martinelli’s absence from the matchday squad could otherwise be interpreted as an attempt to force him out.

Instead, the situation appears to be one in which the manager has made a sporting decision and communicated it directly to the player.

Whether Martinelli accepts a move to Saudi Arabia is another matter.

What Would Martinelli Bring to Al-Hilal?

For Al-Hilal, signing Martinelli would represent another major acquisition.

At 25, the Brazilian is still in what should be the prime years of his career.

He would arrive with extensive Premier League experience, Champions League exposure and the pedigree of having contributed to a title-winning Arsenal side.

His speed could make him particularly dangerous in transition, while his ability to operate from the left and attack central areas would add another dimension to Al-Hilal’s forward line.

Unlike some high-profile players who have moved to Saudi Arabia towards the latter stages of their careers, Martinelli would be joining with potentially many years of top-level football ahead of him.

Al-Hilal Also Want Ollie Watkins

Martinelli is not Al-Hilal’s only major Premier League target.

The Saudi club are simultaneously pursuing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Watkins’ future has become increasingly uncertain after he missed Villa’s opening Premier League defeat against Brighton.

Manager Unai Emery subsequently refused to guarantee that the England striker would remain at Villa Park.

If Al-Hilal were able to secure both Watkins and Martinelli, they would be adding two established Premier League attackers during the same transfer window.

Such moves would further underline the Saudi Pro League’s determination to attract players who remain capable of competing at the highest level.

Arsenal Face a Crucial Decision Over Martinelli’s Valuation

Arsenal now need to determine what represents an acceptable offer.

Galatasaray’s £38.54m bid has already provided a benchmark.

Al-Hilal are reportedly willing to exceed it.

Given Martinelli’s contract situation, Arsenal may not be able to demand the kind of enormous fee that would be possible if he had three or four years remaining on his deal.

However, his age, experience and proven Premier League ability should still provide considerable negotiating leverage.

A deal significantly above £40m could give Arsenal valuable resources for another late move in the transfer market.

Could Arsenal Sign Another Left Winger?

Martinelli’s departure would naturally raise questions about Arsenal’s plans for the left side of their attack.

Arteta’s willingness to allow an established winger to leave suggests he is confident in his existing options or expects further transfer activity.

Arsenal’s ambition has changed.

After finally winning the Premier League again, the target is no longer simply to compete with England’s elite.

The objective is to stay ahead of them while pushing deeper into the Champions League.

Every squad decision must therefore be viewed within that context.

If Arsenal believe selling Martinelli allows them to bring in a player better suited to Arteta’s evolving system, his departure could become part of a broader attacking transformation.

What Happens Next With Martinelli?

The negotiations now have several moving parts.

Arsenal appear prepared to sell.

Al-Hilal appear prepared to pay more than the £38.54m offered by Galatasaray.

Arteta has communicated his position to Martinelli.

The remaining major factor is the player himself.

Martinelli previously rejected the possibility of moving to Galatasaray, demonstrating that Arsenal cannot simply determine his destination.

If the Brazilian is interested in Al-Hilal’s project and personal terms can be agreed, negotiations could accelerate rapidly before the transfer deadline.

If he rejects Saudi Arabia, Arsenal may need to find another buyer or reconsider how he fits into the squad for the final year of his contract.

End of an Era for Martinelli at Arsenal?

Seven years after arriving from Ituano as a promising teenager, Martinelli could now leave Arsenal as a Premier League champion.

His journey has mirrored Arsenal’s own transformation from a club attempting to rebuild into one capable of winning England’s biggest domestic prize.

That history makes his potential departure significant.

But elite football rarely allows room for sentiment.

Arteta appears to have decided Arsenal’s next phase requires something different, while Al-Hilal have spotted an opportunity to sign a Brazilian international entering his prime.

The coming days will determine whether Martinelli’s Arsenal story has already reached its final chapter.

Al-Hilal have opened talks with Arsenal over Gabriel Martinelli and are prepared to beat Galatasaray’s £38.5m offer, with Mikel Arteta ready to let the Brazilian winger leave.

Source: BBC

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