Al Hilal make move for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli

Al Hilal are in talks with Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli over a possible move to the Saudi Pro League, with Arsenal seeking about £60m for the Brazil international.

The Saudi club have also opened discussions with Martinelli’s representatives, according to The Athletic, as they assess a deal for the 25-year-old during the current summer transfer window.

No agreement has been reached between the clubs or the player at this stage. However, negotiations are continuing and Martinelli is understood to be open to the possibility of moving to Al Hilal.

Arsenal are prepared to consider selling the winger if they receive an attractive offer, although Martinelli himself is not pushing to leave the club.

The player remains under contract at Arsenal until 2027, with the Premier League club holding an option to extend the agreement by a further 12 months.

Martinelli was not included in Arsenal’s squad for their victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield. He was also left out of the team for their opening Premier League match of the season, a win against Coventry City on Friday.

His absence from both squads comes as Arsenal consider their options on the left side of the attack and continue to reshape Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The Athletic reported 10 days ago that Galatasaray had submitted an offer worth €45m for Martinelli. That figure was reported as equivalent to £38.4m and $51.8m. The proposal did not lead to a transfer, with the player’s representatives later informing Arsenal that he was not interested in the move to the Turkish club.

Al Hilal’s interest could give Martinelli another opportunity to consider his future, although the Saudi side must still meet Arsenal’s valuation if negotiations are to develop into a formal agreement.

Should the talks progress, Martinelli would become the latest attacking addition to Al Hilal’s squad this summer. The club signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United in July.

Arsenal have also added attacking options during the transfer window, with Mikel Arteta’s side signing winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Leandro Trossard, meanwhile, has joined Besiktas.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and has established himself as an important attacking player for the club, but his current omission from the squad has increased speculation over whether his time in north London could be coming to an end.

For now, Al Hilal’s discussions with the player’s representatives remain ongoing, while Arsenal wait for an offer closer to the £60m figure they believe would justify allowing the Brazilian to leave.