Arsenal set for record sale of 25yo winger
August 26, 2026 04:07
According to journalist James Benge, Arsenal are nearing an agreement to sell winger Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi club Al-Hilal. The reported deal is said to be in advanced stages and would include approximately £57m in fees after add‑ons.
The article adds that Martinelli has been left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad for the first two games of the season and that the club consider him surplus to requirements. The 25‑year‑old is reportedly unhappy with that situation but accepts he needs regular minutes.
KEY CONTEXT
- The fee being discussed would, if completed, surpass Arsenal’s previous highest outgoing transfer — Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s £35m move to Liverpool.
- Martinelli, 25, is reported to have recently rejected a move to Galatasaray in favour of joining an elite European club, a stance that may be shifting amid the current negotiations.
- The article states Martinelli’s current Arsenal wages are roughly £180,000 per week and that a move to Saudi Arabia could roughly double his pay, reportedly without taxation.
WHY IT MATTERS
A sale at the reported level would set a new outgoing transfer record for Arsenal, marking a significant financial milestone for the club. It would also represent a notable change in squad plans: a young attacker deemed surplus while seeking regular playing time could alter Arsenal’s attacking options and depth.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Arsenal or Al‑Hilal make an official announcement confirming the transfer.
- Finalisation of the fee structure and add‑ons that would bring the total to the reported £57m.
- Any club or player statements clarifying Martinelli’s situation and the reasons for his exclusion from early matchday squads.
- The summer window timetable — the transfer window closes on September 1, 2026.
KEY FACTS
- Reported by James Benge: Arsenal are in advanced talks to sell Gabriel Martinelli to Al‑Hilal.
- Reported fee: about £57m including add‑ons.
- Would be Arsenal’s record sale, exceeding Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s £35m transfer to Liverpool.
- Martinelli, 25, was left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad for the first two games and is described as surplus to requirements.
- Reported wages: roughly £180,000 per week at Arsenal; a move to Saudi Arabia could reportedly double that income tax‑free.