Al-Hilal move from interest to negotiations

What had looked like another piece of summer speculation has developed into a genuine transfer situation. According to BBC Sport, Arsenal have held talks with Al-Hilal over Martinelli and Mikel Arteta has made it clear that the Brazil international is free to leave this summer. The Saudi club have indicated that they are prepared to offer more than the £45 million bid Arsenal previously received from Galatasaray. BBC Sport: Al-Hilal open talks to sign Arsenal winger Martinelli

Martinelli rejected the possibility of joining Galatasaray earlier in the window because he was reluctant to move to Turkey. The situation with Al-Hilal is different. Reporting based on information from The Athletic says the 25-year-old is open to the Saudi move, although no agreement has yet been reached between the clubs or with the player. UOL: Al-Hilal negotiate for Martinelli as Arsenal set price

The same report places Arsenal’s valuation at around £60 million. Martinelli’s contract expires in June 2027, although Arsenal hold an option to extend it by another year, meaning the club are not under immediate pressure to accept a reduced fee.

His place at Arsenal has changed quickly

The most striking element is how sharply Martinelli’s position has changed. He joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 as a relatively unknown teenager and became one of the faces of Arteta’s rebuild, eventually helping the club win the Premier League in 2025/26. He has made 278 appearances for Arsenal and scored 62 goals across all competitions.

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Even last season, Martinelli remained heavily involved. BBC Sport reported that he made 53 appearances in all competitions and scored 11 goals during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign. Yet he was omitted from the squad for both the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the 3-0 Premier League opener against Coventry City. BBC Sport: Ian Wright says Martinelli deserves better from Arsenal

That treatment has already drawn criticism from one of Arsenal’s most prominent former players. Ian Wright told Sky Sports: “The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable.” He also argued that the Brazilian deserves “more respect” for what he has given the club.

Arsenal’s attack is moving in another direction

Part of the explanation lies in the competition Martinelli now faces. Arsenal have continued reshaping their attack, and new arrival Christos Tzolis has added another option on the left side. Martinelli is therefore no longer guaranteed the kind of role he enjoyed earlier in Arteta’s tenure.

That leaves Arsenal with a difficult but potentially lucrative decision. A £60 million sale would represent an enormous return on a player signed from Ituano for a relatively modest fee seven years ago, while also creating further room to strengthen the squad before the transfer deadline.

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For Martinelli, the question is different. At 25, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career and needs regular football, particularly with competition for places in the Brazil team remaining fierce.

There is still no completed deal, and Martinelli is not reported to be forcing his way out. But after two consecutive omissions and the opening of concrete negotiations with Al-Hilal, his Arsenal future no longer feels secure.

A transfer that once seemed unlikely now looks entirely possible.

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