Arsenal Open Door for Martinelli Exit as Al-Hilal Makes Offer

Arsenal have held talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal over the sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian now effectively on the market this summer.

Mikel Arteta has made it clear to the 23-year-old that he does not feature in his long-term plans, and the club are prepared to cash in before his contract runs down. Martinelli has just 12 months left on his deal at the Emirates Stadium, sharpening the focus on a decisive move in this window.

Galatasaray tested Arsenal’s resolve earlier in the summer with a £45m bid, but the player refused to entertain a switch to Istanbul. The offer was serious; his interest was not. He simply would not consider it.

That has opened the door for Al-Hilal. The Saudi club have informed Arsenal they are willing to go beyond Galatasaray’s proposal, positioning themselves as frontrunners for a player who arrived from Ituano in 2019 and once looked like a cornerstone of Arsenal’s future.

The talks with Al-Hilal come as part of a broader recruitment drive, with the Riyadh giants also pursuing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Martinelli, though, is the one Arsenal are ready to move on now.

A decisive bid from Saudi Arabia, a year left on his contract, and no place in Arteta’s plans: Martinelli’s Arsenal story is edging towards its final chapter.