Gabriel Martinelli, the dynamic Arsenal attacker, is officially off to Al-Hilal in a massive $81 million deal that’s got everyone talking. This isn’t just a big number; it’s a full guaranteed payout, with Arsenal even snagging a percentage of any future transfer, a sweet detail CBS Sports first dropped back on August 24. And get this: Al-Hilal is already baking in a sizable release clause for any European teams that come calling later. Talk about setting yourself up for the future!
Arsenal Just Made Bank, Big Time
Seriously, the Gunners just absolutely cleaned up on this one, making a ridiculous profit on the Brazilian star. This $81 million sale completely obliterates their old record, which was the £35 million departure of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool way back nine years ago. We’re talking shattered records here. Let’s not forget, Arsenal originally plucked Martinelli from the Brazilian fourth tier in 2019 for a measly £6 million, all thanks to a recommendation from then-recruitment chief Francis Cagigao. What a return on investment, right? This move isn’t just big for Arsenal, either. It’s the third-highest fee ever paid by a Saudi club, sitting right behind Jhon Duran’s transfer to Al-Nassr last January and Neymar’s blockbuster move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023. This is major league money flowing in.
Martinelli Wanted More, But Arsenal Had Other Plans
It’s not just Arsenal making out like bandits; Martinelli himself is doing pretty great financially. CBS Sports revealed last month that the 25-year-old was offered a salary north of $23 million, with potential bonuses on top. That’s a massive pay bump compared to what he was making at Arsenal. The twist? Martinelli originally wanted to stick around and fight for his spot in north London, even turning down interest from Galatasaray earlier in the window! But after talks with manager Mikel Arteta, it became crystal clear that his limited role at the season’s start, including being left out of both the Community Shield and the Premier League opener, was probably going to continue. These conversations happened even before club legend Ian Wright publicly called out Arsenal for how they were treating the winger. After those talks, Martinelli knew he had to move on. His dream was always to leave Arsenal only for another top-tier European club, offering similar high-level competition. Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid were interested in 2025, and Paris Saint-Germain in 2026, but they all moved on to other targets. The kicker? No other team came in with an offer for Martinelli this summer. It’s wild to think that just twelve months ago, his services were offered to other Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr by intermediaries, but he dismissed those out of hand. What a difference a year, and a massive pay packet, can make!
This transfer marks a huge moment for Arsenal’s finances, but it also paints a pretty clear picture of how quickly things can change in a player’s career. Martinelli is off to a new challenge, and it’ll be fascinating to see how Al-Hilal utilizes such a talented player with that kind of a release clause looming.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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