Al-Hilal Enter Advanced Talks With Arsenal Over Gabriel Martinelli

Al-Hilal are in advanced talks with Arsenal over the potential signing of Gabriel Martinelli for at least £50 million, according to BBC Sport. The report says discussions intensified during the past 24 hours and that an agreement between the clubs is close, but no transfer has been completed.

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Any final move would also require Martinelli's approval. BBC Sport reports that the Brazil international has already rejected an opportunity to join Galatasaray and would need to decide whether he wants to continue his career in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Hilal's proposed wage package is understood to exceed his reported £180,000-a-week Arsenal salary.

Martinelli, 25, has 12 months remaining on his contract at Emirates Stadium. He joined Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as Arsenal won the Premier League title.

His position at the club has nevertheless become uncertain. BBC Sport says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made clear that the attacker is not part of his plans and has explained that position directly to the player. Martinelli was omitted from Arsenal's squad for Friday's 3-0 league-opening victory over Coventry.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright criticised both the omission and the way the club has handled Martinelli's situation in comments to Sky Sports. Wright acknowledged that Arsenal may want to sell the forward but argued that the terms and manner of any departure should also work for the player.

Al-Hilal's pursuit of Martinelli is taking place alongside the Saudi club's interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, the BBC added. Watkins did not play in Villa's opening-weekend defeat by Brighton, while manager Unai Emery declined to guarantee that he would remain at Villa Park. For Martinelli, the immediate position remains conditional: the clubs are negotiating, and the player has not agreed to move.