Arsenal have completed the sale of winger Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for a record fee of €70 million.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international joins the Riyadh-based side after seven years with the London team, having celebrated winning the league championship with the club last season.
The €70 million transaction represents the most expensive player sale in Arsenal's history. It exceeds the previous record of €40.8 million that the club received from Premier League rivals Liverpool for midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.
Record Arsenal transfer
Speculation regarding a potential move had circulated throughout the summer transfer window before the North London club officially announced that Martinelli had completed a permanent transfer to Al-Hilal.
Arsenal confirmed the departure in a statement, thanking the forward for his contributions to the team, wishing him success in Saudi Arabia, and stating that he would remain forever a Gunner.
Martinelli signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2019. Over seven years with the Gunners, the Brazilian winger made 278 appearances across all competitions and scored 62 goals.
Club background and context
Arsenal Football Club, founded in 1886 and based in North London, compete in the top tier of English football and play home matches at the Emirates Stadium in Islington.
Al-Hilal, based in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, compete in the Saudi Pro League. Founded in 1957, the club is one of Asia's most decorated sports institutions, playing home fixtures at the King Fahd International Stadium.
The move concludes a major chapter in Martinelli's career after establishing himself in English football following his arrival from Brazil in 2019. He has represented the Brazil national team at international level.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose move set Arsenal's previous departure record, spent six years at Arsenal before joining Liverpool. Liverpool Football Club are based in North West England and compete alongside Arsenal in the Premier League.
