London's Arsenal have moved to an advanced stage of negotiations with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal over the sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli. According to sources, the transfer fee could exceed £50 million, and discussions between the two clubs have intensified significantly over the past 24 hours. For the Gunners, this could be one of the most lucrative exits of the current transfer window, given that the Brazilian's contract with the Londoners is set to expire at the end of the season and the club risks losing the player for free.
Arteta shuts the door
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has made it clear to Martinelli that he is not part of his plans for the new season. A symbolic turning point in this matter was the opening Premier League match against Coventry, which the Londoners won 3-0, but the Brazilian was left out of the squad the day before. That decision clearly confirmed that, in the manager's eyes, the winger has effectively fallen out of the first-team mix, prompting both sides to accelerate the transfer negotiations.
A club legend's outrage
The situation surrounding the player has provoked a sharp reaction from Arsenal legend Ian Wright. "The way Martinelli is being treated right now makes me feel uncomfortable. I understand that the club may want to sell him, but there are proper ways to do it. Everything should be handled with respect for the player and his wishes," Wright stated. His remarks suggest that tension persists within the club and its circle over the manner in which the departure of one of last season's key players is being carried out.
The financial side and the player's decision
Al-Hilal is offering Martinelli a salary significantly higher than his current wage at Arsenal, which stands at £180,000 per week. That said, the final decision on a move to the Middle East rests with the footballer himself: the Brazilian has previously turned down a move to Turkey's Galatasaray, which speaks to his selectivity in choosing his next club. Thus, even with the agreement of both clubs, the deal will not be completed without the player's own consent.
Conflicting figures
Available sources disagree on the target transfer fee. One version states that the sum "could exceed £50 million," while a number of outlets report that Arsenal are asking for £60 million for the winger. The two figures do not fundamentally contradict each other (£60 million does indeed exceed £50 million), but the £10 million gap reflects the difference between the lower bound of expectations and the upper limit of the Londoners' demands. The exact figure will only become known once the agreements are signed.
Contribution to the title and the window's context
It is worth recalling that last season Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions and scored 11 goals, helping Arsenal win the Premier League title. His departure would therefore mean the loss of one of the architects of the title-winning season. Meanwhile, other clubs are also active on the transfer market: it was previously reported that Tottenham had agreed a deal for a Manchester City winger for €99 million, underscoring the fierce competition for top wingers in this window.
