Al-Hilal have opened negotiations with Arsenal over a potential transfer for Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, according to reports from the BBC. The Saudi Pro League club is reportedly prepared to offer more money than a previous bid tabled by Turkish side Galatasaray earlier in the summer.
Martinelli's future at the Emirates Stadium has been in question for some time, with manager Mikel Arteta having indicated to the 24-year-old that he does not feature prominently in his plans for the upcoming campaign. The Brazilian, who arrived at Arsenal from Ituano back in 2019, currently has just one year remaining on his existing contract, adding urgency to any potential sale before his value diminishes further.
Galatasaray had earlier tested Arsenal's resolve with an offer in the region of £45m, but Martinelli reportedly showed no willingness to relocate to Istanbul, effectively ending that pursuit before it gained further traction. Al-Hilal's approach, by contrast, appears to carry more weight given the financial muscle the Saudi club has shown in recent transfer windows, and their readiness to exceed the Turkish offer suggests they see Martinelli as a genuine target rather than a speculative punt.
The interest in the Arsenal forward comes as Al-Hilal simultaneously pursue another Premier League attacker, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. The England international was a notable absentee from Villa's squad for their opening weekend fixture, a defeat to Brighton, fuelling speculation over his own future. Villa boss Unai Emery has so far declined to publicly commit to keeping Watkins beyond the current transfer window, leaving the door seemingly ajar for a departure.
For Arsenal, losing Martinelli would mark the end of a chapter that began when the club moved to sign him as a relatively unknown talent from Brazilian football. He has since become a regular feature of Arteta's squad, though his opportunities have fluctuated depending on tactical setups and the form of rivals for a starting spot out wide. With Arteta apparently ready to sanction his exit, Arsenal's priority will likely shift toward securing the best possible fee, particularly with only a year left on his deal threatening to weaken their negotiating position if a sale drags into next year.
Al-Hilal's dual interest in both Martinelli and Watkins underlines the growing ambition of Saudi Arabian clubs to attract established Premier League performers, following a wave of high-profile arrivals in the division over the past couple of years. Should both deals progress, it would represent another significant statement of intent from the Saudi Pro League as it continues to compete for top European talent.
Neither Arsenal nor Aston Villa have issued official statements confirming the extent of discussions, and it remains to be seen whether either transfer will be finalised before the window closes. For now, all parties appear to be assessing their options, with Martinelli's stance on a move to Saudi Arabia yet to be made clear, unlike his earlier rejection of interest from Galatasaray.
Both situations are likely to develop quickly as clubs look to finalise their squads ahead of the season taking full shape, with Arsenal keen to resolve Martinelli's future one way or another before turning full attention to matters on the pitch.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.