Al Hilal plan major attacking overhaul with Martinelli, Watkins and Summerville

Al Hilal are reported to have committed about one billion Saudi riyals to three attacking players during the current summer transfer window, according to Saudi football broadcaster Khaled Al-Sheneif.

The Saudi Pro League club are linked with moves for Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, while a deal for Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville is said to have been completed. The proposals would give Al Hilal an attack featuring players with significant experience in European football.

Speaking on the Saudi programme Dawryna Ghair, Al-Sheneif said: “The value of the contracts for the three attacking names amounts to one billion riyals, and this demonstrates Al Hilal’s purchasing power.”

He added that the club’s financial strength reflected the level of support it receives, saying the credit for that backing belonged to Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

Al Hilal’s recent activity points to a clear attempt to construct one of the strongest attacking units in the Saudi Pro League. The club are making broad changes to their squad this summer and are looking to add Martinelli and Watkins to a group that is expected to include Summerville.

Those moves come after several attacking players left the squad, most notably Brazilian winger Malcom. Al Hilal are also seeking clarity over the future of French striker Karim Benzema, increasing the pressure on the club’s management to find replacements and improve the options available to Italian head coach Simone Inzaghi.

Martinelli, 24, has established himself as an important attacking player for Arsenal since joining from Ituano in 2019, while Watkins has been a leading figure in Aston Villa’s forward line. Summerville, who is Dutch, is also regarded as a player capable of adding pace and creativity in wide areas.

If the three deals are completed at the reported figures, Al Hilal would send a strong message to their competitors in the Saudi Pro League before the new season. The scale of the spending would underline the club’s ambition to challenge for every available trophy, as well as the attraction of its project to established European-based players.

The reported moves also highlight the continued financial strength of the Saudi transfer market, with Al Hilal using its resources to reshape a squad that has undergone substantial change. The club’s priority is now to ensure that its new attacking options can replace the players who have departed while providing Inzaghi with greater depth across the frontline.

In addition to the transfer developments, supporters can purchase tickets for Saudi Pro League matches through the competition’s ticketing service.