Arsenal’s attempts to sell Gabriel Martinelli have received a significant boost, with the Brazilian now giving the green light to a potential move to Al Hilal.
The Saudi club’s pursuit of the 25-year-old and contact with the Gunners have already been reported elsewhere. Arsenal are also said to be looking for around €69m (£60m).
New updates from Brazil brings the story forward, particularly when it comes to Martinelli’s position. Because Globo Esporte reports the forward is now attracted by the Al Hilal project.
His camp has given the Saudi club a positive signal to proceed with negotiations directly with Arsenal. That’s a bit of a turnaround.
Martinelli changes Saudi stance
Information in Brazil previously stated Arsenal wanted to sell Gabriel Martinelli and had offered him to clubs in several markets.
Turkey was one of those options. Galatasaray showed interest, but Martinelli wasn’t interested in the move.
Saudi Arabia was another avenue explored by Arsenal. At that stage, the Brazilian was also said to have rejected the possibility. But the situation has now changed.
Globo Esporte confirms Martinelli turned down Galatasaray earlier in the window. However, they say he now views a move to Saudi Arabia positively.
Al Hilal’s project appears to have convinced him. His representatives have consequently given the green light for the Saudi side to push ahead with Arsenal over a permanent transfer.
That removes one of the biggest problems the Gunners had been facing. Arsenal wanted a sizeable fee for Martinelli but his reluctance to consider alternative markets considerably reduced their options.
Selling to another Premier League club would also bring the obvious problem of strengthening a domestic rival. So Al Hilal could now provide the solution.
Arsenal exit route opens up
Martinelli has been left out of Mikel Arteta’s squad for Arsenal’s opening two matches of the season. He wasn’t even on the bench against Manchester City in the Super Cup or for the Premier League victory over Coventry City.
Globo Esporte says his path towards an Arsenal exit is therefore open, with Al Hilal currently the leading candidate.
The Brazilian outlet presents Martinelli as the Saudi club’s favourite to replace Malcom, who left this week for Al Jazira.
Al Hilal had initially approached Bournemouth’s Rayan, but he rejected their advances. That has helped push Martinelli to the front of their plans.
Either way, the important development is that the player’s stance is no longer standing in Arsenal’s way.
Al Hilal have more time than European clubs to complete the operation, with the Saudi transfer window remaining open until September 6. Globo Esporte says the expectation among those involved is that negotiations for Martinelli will progress over the coming days.
For Arsenal, that’s a considerable change from where things stood earlier in the window. They had a player they wanted to sell but very few realistic destinations he would accept. Martinelli has now opened one of those doors himself.
