New Arsenal Sales Record! Martinelli Joins Al Hilal for €70 Million Transfer Fee

On September 4 Beijing time, Al Hilal officially announced that Arsenal forward Martinelli has joined the club on a four-year contract.

According to previous media reports, Martinelli's transfer fee is €70 million, excluding add-ons. The figure significantly breaks Arsenal's previous record for player sales, surpassing Chamberlain's €38 million fee from nine years ago.

Martinelli is currently 25 years old. He joined Arsenal in 2019 for a transfer fee of €7.1 million. During his seven seasons with the Gunners, he made 278 appearances in all competitions, contributing 62 goals and 35 assists. He won one Premier League title, one FA Cup title and one Community Shield title with the team. His current market value on Transfermarkt is €45 million.

This summer, Arsenal were eager to bring in a high-profile left winger. Rumored targets ranged from Vinicius to Alvarez. Although they eventually only signed Tzolis in that position, Martinelli found himself looking for a new path amid uncertainty and circumstances that partly pushed him toward a departure.

Including Martinelli's deal, Arsenal's income from player sales this summer has reached €135.15 million, including: Martinelli (€70 million), Trossard (€18 million), Kiwior (€17 million), Jesus (€10 million), Fabio Vieira (€9 million), Norgaard (€8.15 million), Karl Hein (€3 million), Nelson (left as a free agent), Nwaneri (loan), and Setford (loan).

Al Hilal's official announcement stated:

The board of directors of Al Hilal Club, chaired by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad, has officially signed Brazilian player Gabriel Martinelli. He will transfer from Arsenal Football Club to the Al Hilal first team on a four-year deal. The signing ceremony was held on Thursday evening at the Majidiyah Sports Center.

The Al Hilal board of directors expressed its gratitude to His Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal for facilitating Gabriel Martinelli's transfer to Al Hilal, and sincerely thanked the prince for his continued support of the club, ongoing contributions to its development, efforts to enhance the club's competitiveness, and work to meet fans' expectations.

Martinelli is expected to join Al Hilal's first-team training tonight to prepare for Friday's Saudi league away match against Al Shabab.