Gabriel Martinelli has officially left Arsenal for Al-Hilal in a €70 million package, turning what once looked like another transfer-window rumour into one of the biggest departures in the Gunners’ history. The Brazilian winger’s seven-year Arsenal chapter has ended with a club-record sale, while a sell-on clause gives the North London club a reason to keep one eye on Martinelli’s future adventures in Saudi Arabia.
The €70 Million Goodbye Nobody Could Ignore
Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and leaves after making 278 appearances and scoring 62 goals, having collected major honours including the Premier League and FA Cup. The €70m deal reportedly makes his departure Arsenal’s most expensive sale, comfortably surpassing the previous benchmark set by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool.
In classic football-transfer fashion, Martinelli’s exit spent weeks behaving like a rumour with commitment issues before finally becoming official. Al-Hilal confirmed the Brazilian’s arrival on a four-year contract, meaning the player who once terrorised Premier League full-backs will now be doing his running in Saudi Arabia — presumably with Arsenal accountants running even faster toward the bank.
Arsenal Sell, Then Keep One Eye on the Future
The agreement also includes a sell-on clause, giving Arsenal a financial interest in any future profit generated by Martinelli’s next transfer. Reports before the deal was completed had indicated that such a clause was being negotiated, and the final agreement means Arsenal did not simply wave goodbye and burn the receipt.
For Mikel Arteta, however, the comedy could become considerably less amusing on the pitch. Martinelli’s departure follows other attacking exits during an already busy window, while Arsenal’s late pursuit of major attacking reinforcements failed to produce another headline arrival before the English window closed. The Gunners now have money, a record sale and plenty of questions about attacking depth — football’s way of reminding everyone that selling the problem is easier than replacing the problem.
For OGM News FC, the Martinelli story therefore represents more than another expensive transfer: it is the latest chapter in football’s increasingly extravagant marketplace, where €70 million can transform a former academy-era investment into a record-breaking Arsenal exit overnight. With Martinelli officially wearing Al-Hilal colours and Arsenal preparing for life without him, supporters should watch closely for what comes next — because in this transfer market, the final whistle rarely means the final twist. OGM News FC will continue to watch the story for further developments.
