€60m Arsenal deal close as 'agreement in principle' reached

25 Aug 2026 12:32 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Arsenal are close to finalising a deal of Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, with the transfer now expected to be completed before the end of the summer transfer window.

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Martinelli, 25, has just one year remaining on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, but he has accepted a move to the Middle East and he is set to become Al-Hilal’s second marquee signing of the summer, following the purchase of Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United.

Current ETV

Gabriel Martinelli

F, M (L)

Arsenal

Gabriel Martinelli

F, M (L)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€36.2M - €44.3M

Al-Hilal were interested in signing Chelsea winger Pedro Neto before turning their attention to Martinelli, but his price tag stands at over €100 million and they had no intention of matching this figure.

As a result, talks with Martinelli’s camp have intensified over recent days and a breakthrough in talks has been reached, as per multiple reports.

This has been confirmed by transfer reporter Nicolo Schira, who posted on X: “Gabriel Martinelli has reached an agreement in principle for a contract until 2030 (€20M/year) with Al-Hilal, which are ready to pay €60M to Arsenal to close the deal.”

Martinelli is one of several Arsenal players who could leave before the transfer window slams shut on 1 September, with academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri and compatriot Gabriel Jesus also tipped to depart.

In addition to the Brazil star, Al-Hilal are also in advanced talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Ollie Watkins, with the England striker keen to complete a move to Saudi Arabia. He was omitted from Villa’s matchday squad for their 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday and he is pushing to leave the club before Transfer Deadline Day.

Who will Arsenal sign to replace Gabriel Martinelli?

FootballTransfers has been told that Arsenal will only allow Martinelli to leave if they have lined up a replacement, and the Gunners remain in talks over a possible deal for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

The Argentina forward wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Martinelli, but he would add significant firepower to Arsenal's attack as they look to finally win the Champions League this season. However, he currently favours a move to Barcelona and has little interest in returning to the Premier League.

Juventus star Kenan Yildiz has also been heavily linked with an Emirates Stadium switch, however he is currently injured and a deal has been categorically ruled out by the Serie A giants.

An alternative option for Arteta would be to deploy Eberechi Eze as a back-up option to new signing Christos Tzolis on the left flank, with Mikel Merino providing cover for Martin Odegaard in midfield.