Arsenal willing to sell star for £50m as Saudi giants open talks over transfer

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·23 August 2026

Arsenal willing to sell star for £50m as Saudi giants open talks over transfer

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are in talks to sign Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli and are prepared to pay a total package close to £50 million.

Transfer insider Ben Jacobs took to social media platform X to reveal that negotiation channels have opened between Al-Hilal and Arsenal for the 25-year-old Brazilian international.

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Ben Jacobs: Al Ahli in talks to sign Gabriel Martinelli

According to Jacobs, the Saudi giants are actively pursuing a move for Martinelli and are ready to put forth an offer in the region of £50 million.

Having initially received inquiries from Saudi Arabia during last summer’s transfer window, Martinelli is now understood to be far more open to making the switch to the Middle East.

With direct dialogue progressing between all parties, Arsenal are willing to sanction a permanent departure if an acceptable financial package is finalized before the transfer deadline.

Al-Hilal in talks for Gabriel Martinelli and are prepared to pay close to £50m. Martinelli has become open to Saudi, having also received an approach last summer. Arsenal willing to sell. Martinelli has already been told #AFC want to move him on.

Arsenal forcing Martinelli out but player has already rejected move to Turkey

The potential transfer follows a period of increasing friction regarding Martinelli’s status at North London.

Mikel Arteta has made it clear that the Brazilian wide man is no longer a core part of his plans for the 2026/27 campaign, notably leaving him out of the matchday squads for both the Community Shield victory and Arsenal’s opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City.

Jacobs update indicates that Martinelli has already been explicitly informed by the club hierarchy that they intend to move him on to free up squad space and wage funds for further attacking acquisitions.

Earlier in the summer window, Turkish club Galatasaray lodged a formal £38.4 million approach for the winger.

However, Martinelli swiftly rejected the option to play in Turkey, preferring to wait for an alternative top-tier solution.

With limited options remaining across Europe’s top leagues, Al-Hilal’s lucrative project now presents the most viable exit strategy for both player and club.