Arsenal Open Door for Martinelli Exit as Al-Hilal Circles

Arsenal have held talks with Al-Hilal over the sale of Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian winger now available to leave the Emirates this summer.

Mikel Arteta has told the 23-year-old he does not feature in his plans for the coming season, clearing the way for a departure just five years after Martinelli arrived from Ituano and lit up north London with his raw, relentless style.

Galatasaray moved first earlier in the window, tabling a £45m offer that Arsenal were prepared to accept. Martinelli, though, refused to entertain a move to Istanbul, shutting down that avenue despite the fee on the table.

That stance has opened the door for Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal have informed Arsenal they are ready to go beyond Galatasaray’s bid as they push to add Martinelli to a growing cast of big-name arrivals in the Saudi Pro League.

The winger has 12 months left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, a ticking clock that sharpens Arsenal’s need to make a decision: cash in now or risk losing a once-prized asset for far less down the line.

Al-Hilal’s pursuit of Martinelli is part of a broader attacking rebuild, with the club also working on a deal for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. If both moves land, the Saudi side will have pulled off one of the most eye-catching forward line shake-ups of the summer.

For Arsenal, the message is blunt. Martinelli is available. The only question now is whether Al-Hilal turn their interest into the kind of offer that finally ends his time in north London.