Arsenal are close to completing the sale of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a deal that would set a new record for the Premier League champions.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Middle East over recent days, with Al-Hilal pursuing his signature. Arsenal have held talks with their Saudi counterparts, and Martinelli was left out of Mikel Arteta's 18-man squad for the opening-day victory against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium.
According to football.london, the two clubs are nearing an agreement for Martinelli's services, with the winger expected to depart for a fee in the region of £50 million.
Record sale for Arsenal
If completed, the transfer would become the most lucrative sale in Arsenal's history, surpassing the £35 million paid by Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.
Martinelli would leave after a seven-year spell in North London, having joined from Brazilian side Ituano. During his time at the club, he has made 278 appearances and scored 62 goals, helping Arsenal win the Premier League last season.
The forward had entered the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract, although the club held an option to extend it by a further year. Galatasaray had initially shown interest but ended their pursuit, opening the door for Al-Hilal.
Summer departures and arrivals
Martinelli would become the latest high-profile player to leave Arsenal this summer. Leandro Trossard joined Besiktas earlier this year, while Jakub Kiwior and Christian Norgaard have also been allowed to depart.
In the meantime, Arsenal have strengthened their frontline with the signing of Greek international Christos Tzolis, who has made a productive start to life at the club following a £34 million move from Club Brugge.
Speaking after the win against Coventry, Arteta said of Tzolis: “I love that a player who has only been with us a few weeks gets this kind of energy whenever he’s on the ball, and I think he’s earned it. I think the way he has performed the last few games has been phenomenal; what he transmits as a player - so direct, constantly incisive and wants to make things happen.
“He has an incredible variety of actions in the last 30 metres to decide and make the right decisions - even when the spaces are really small. I’m really impressed with him.”
Asked whether Arsenal are still keen to add to their frontline amid ongoing links with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, Arteta added: “I’m really happy with the squad that we have, and the main focus is to improve the players we already have, as we already have a lot of good things.”
