Forward Gabriel Martinelli is leaving Arsenal for Al Hilal in a 70 million euro deal, reinforcing the Saudi football project’s ambition.
The global football landscape was shaken this Thursday with the confirmation of Gabriel Martinelli‘s departure from Arsenal to join Saudi Arabia‘s Al Hilal. The move, announced by both clubs, marks another significant step in Saudi football’s pursuit of elite international talent.
The transfer of one of the most promising young Brazilian talents to the Middle East underscores the financial power and growing ambition of the local league, which seeks to establish itself as a major center for world football. At 25, Martinelli ends a successful run in the Premier League to embark on a new challenge.
Details of the Massive Transfer
The agreement between Al Hilal and Gabriel Martinelli includes a four-year contract for the Brazilian forward. British media estimate the transfer fee to be around 70 million euros, approximately R$ 412 million, highlighting the scale of the financial operation.
New Teammates in Saudi Football
At the Saudi club, Martinelli will join a star-studded squad that already features players such as French fullback Théo Hernandez, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, and English striker Ollie Watkins. Interestingly, he will not share the locker room with Karim Benzema, who terminated his contract with the team weeks earlier after only six months.
Recognition and Performance at Arsenal
His arrival at the new club was celebrated by Martinelli in an official video. The player expressed his excitement:
“Proud to be blue, proud to be an Al Hilal player“
His time at Arsenal, which began in July 2019, was marked by solid numbers: 62 goals in 278 matches. Last season, he was instrumental in the club’s Premier League title run, finding the net 11 times in 53 appearances across all competitions.
Experience with the Brazil National Team
With the Brazil national team, Gabriel Martinelli has earned 27 caps and scored five goals. The forward participated in the recent 2026 World Cup, where Brazil had a disappointing campaign, being eliminated by Norway in the round of 16. Now, his performance on a new continent could influence his future call-ups.
Martinelli‘s move to Al Hilal reinforces the trend of major investments in Saudi football, which continues to attract talent from the European game. For the player, the move represents a new chapter in his career, with the expectation of maintaining a high level of performance and winning new titles in an ascending league. Saudi Arabia continues to cement its position on the global football map, while Arsenal loses one of its valuable assets.
