Martinelli Saudi move remains live after conflicting transfer updates

Al Hilal remain confident of signing Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli this summer, although reports that the Brazil international is travelling to Riyadh have been denied by sources at the Saudi club.

The Saudi Pro League side are involved in advanced negotiations for Martinelli and hope to reach a breakthrough soon. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said the player would not travel to Riyadh today, despite reports suggesting a move to Saudi Arabia was imminent.

“Al Hilal remain in advanced talks for Gabriel Martinelli with hope of breakthrough soon; but he’s not travelling to Riyadh today,” Romano wrote on X.

“Reports of Martinelli flying to Saudi called false by club sources but negotiations continue with player’s camp. Al Hilal, confident.”

The update follows a report from Foot Mercato claiming that Al Hilal had reached an agreement with Arsenal for Martinelli’s transfer.

“According to our information, the Saudi club has reached an agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Gabriel Martinelli,” the report said.

That claim indicates the discussions between the two clubs may have made significant progress, although Romano’s update suggests the overall deal is not yet complete and negotiations with Martinelli’s representatives are continuing.

Martinelli would strengthen an Al Hilal attack that already includes Crysencio Summerville, who joined from West Ham. The club could also add Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who has been identified as a possible further signing.

The conflicting reports have centred on whether Martinelli has already begun travelling to Saudi Arabia, rather than on the existence of negotiations. Club sources have described reports of his journey as false, while confirming that talks with the player’s camp remain active.

Al Hilal are understood to be confident of completing the move, but the winger’s absence from Riyadh today means there has been no final confirmation of his arrival. The club’s discussions with Arsenal and Martinelli’s representatives are therefore continuing.

Martinelli’s potential transfer is one of the developing moves of the current summer transfer window. Foot Mercato’s report points to an agreement between Al Hilal and Arsenal, while Romano’s account stresses that the next stage involves completing negotiations with the player’s camp.

For now, the Brazilian remains an Arsenal player, with Al Hilal still working to conclude a deal. No indication has been given that the talks have broken down; instead, the latest reports describe them as advanced and ongoing, with the Saudi club maintaining confidence that an agreement can be reached soon.