Al Hilal pursues Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal for £60M

Gabriel Martinelli has become one of the more sought-after names in the late summer transfer window, with Al Hilal identifying the Arsenal forward as a primary target for their left-wing position. The Saudi Pro League club is reportedly in pursuit of a deal worth around £60 million, a figure that would represent a remarkable return on Arsenal’s original £6 million investment when they signed him from Ituano back in 2019. Journalist Fabrizio Romano first reported Al Hilal’s interest, placing Martinelli on a shortlist of three candidates for the role. Chelsea’s Pedro Neto is also on that list, along with a third unnamed player, suggesting the Saudi club is keeping its options open rather than committing to one path. The numbers and the nuance Martinelli’s contract runs until June 30, 2027, with an option for an additional year, which keeps Arsenal firmly in the driver’s seat. The player himself is understood to prefer staying in European football over making the move to Riyadh. The £60 million figure being attached to this pursuit is also worth interrogating. Transfermarkt currently values Martinelli at €45 million, which aligns almost exactly with the bid Galatasaray submitted in mi...