Arsenal's Martinelli joins Al-Hilal in £60m move

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli has transferred to Saudi Pro League side Al‑Hilal for a fee of £60 million, including a sell‑on clause. The 25‑year‑old Brazil international, who joined from Ituano in 2019 and had twelve months remaining on his Emirates Stadium contract, was told by manager Mikel Arteta that he is not part of the coach’s plans for the current season. Martinelli announced the move in an unveiling video on the club’s social media channels, stating, “Proud to beryllium blue, arrogant to beryllium Al-Hilal.” He will link up with fellow summer arrival Ollie Watkins, who arrived at Al‑Hilal after leaving Aston Villa in a £51 million deal. Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville also signed for the Saudi outfit, managed by Simone Inzaghi, following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League. Reports indicate the wages offered by Al‑Hilal substantially exceed Martinelli’s reported £180,000‑per‑week package at Arsenal. Last season he made 53 appearances across all competitions, scoring 11 goals, as Arsenal clinched the Premier League title for the first time since 2004. Nevertheless, he was omitted from the Gunners’ first two matchday squads, with Arteta making clear that Martinelli would have to fight for minutes should he remain at the club. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright criticised the decision to leave Martinelli out of the opening fixture against Coventry, telling Sky Sports, “The mode Martinelli is being treated astatine the moment, it truly makes maine consciousness uncomfortable,” and added, “I know they mightiness privation him out, and a batch of radical mightiness say, 'yeah, it's clip for him to determination him on'. But there's ways of doing that and it should suit him arsenic well, however helium wants to leave.” More to follow.