News tagged #GabrielMartinelli (1)
30 Aug 2026
Arsenal’s summer transfer window has burst into life with a massive squad overhaul, as the Gunners have agreed to part ways with a trio of first-team players, headlined by a historic departure. In a move that highlights the ongoing financial muscle of the Saudi Pro League, Arsenal have agreed a club-record £55.7m fee with Al Hilal for electric winger Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian attacker has been granted permission to undergo a medical in the Middle East. Once finalized, the £55.7m deal will officially become the most lucrative sale in Arsenal’s history, eclipsing the £40m the North London club received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in the summer of 2017. For Premier League fans, seeing a prime-age talent like Martinelli swap the Emirates for Saudi Arabia underscores the rapidly shifting dynamics of the global transfer market. Martinelli is not the only Brazilian packing his bags. Arsenal have also reached an agreement in principle to send Gabriel Jesus to Spanish giants Barcelona for a cut-price fee of £8.6m. All parties are currently finalizing the details, and the 29-year-old striker is expected to fly to Spain as early as Monday to complete the move. Jesus arrived at the Emirates from Manchester City four years ago in a marquee £45m deal. While he showed flashes of brilliance for the Gunners—netting 32 goals in 123 appearances—his recent tenure has been heavily blighted by fitness issues. A devastating knee injury sustained during an FA Cup tie against Manchester United in January 2025 completely derailed his momentum, limiting him to a mere three Premier League starts last season. He has also been absent from the Brazilian national team setup since November 2023. Despite reported interest from Serie A side Napoli, Barcelona have won the race for his signature. The move fits into a wider recruitment strategy spearheaded by sporting director Deco. Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick recently praised the club’s transfer business, stating that the team is "on a good path." Interestingly, insiders insist that the acquisition of Jesus is entirely independent of Barcelona’s ongoing pursuit of Julian Alvarez, adding another layer of intrigue to the European transfer merry-go-round. Adding to the Emirates exodus, Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira is also heading for the exit door. Arsenal have agreed a £7.7m deal with German outfit Hamburg, with the playmaker currently en route to Germany to finalize the terms of his contract. For the Arsenal hierarchy, this late-window clearing of the decks represents a massive financial boost. The combined departures of Martinelli, Jesus, and Vieira are set to inject approximately £72m into the club’s coffers. When added to the £45m already recouped from previous sales this window, Arsenal have amassed a substantial war chest. As the 2026 summer transfer window enters its twilight, Premier League fans will be watching closely to see how the Gunners reinvest these newly acquired funds. With several key squad members departing, Arsenal now have the financial freedom to make serious moves in the market as they continue their quest for domestic and European dominance.
