Talks Underway for Martinelli

Arsenal have entered talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal over the sale of Gabriel Martinelli, with the winger open to a move after being left out of the club's opening matchday squads. Multiple reports, including from The Athletic's David Ornstein, confirm that discussions are ongoing between the clubs and with the player's camp, though no agreement has been reached.

Arsenal have set an asking price in the region of £60 million for the 25-year-old, a figure that would break their outgoing transfer record. Al-Hilal, who have already signed Crysencio Summerville this summer, are looking to add a peak-age winger and have communicated a willingness to bid higher than the €45 million (£38.54 million) offer Arsenal received from Galatasaray, which Martinelli turned down.

Martinelli's Status at Arsenal

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 for £6 million on the recommendation of Francis Cagigao and has since made 278 appearances, scoring 62 goals and registering 36 assists. He was a key figure in the club's Premier League title win last season, contributing 11 goals in 53 appearances.

However, the 25-year-old has been informed by manager Mikel Arteta and the club's leadership that he is not in his plans this season. He was left out of the squad for the Community Shield win over Manchester City and the opening Premier League victory against Coventry City on Friday, where summer signing Christos Tzolis impressed in his position.

Martinelli's contract at the Emirates runs for another year, with the club holding an option to extend until 2028. British media have reported that Arsenal seek to raise funds for new signings, and Tzolis's arrival has weakened Martinelli's standing in the squad.

Criticism from Ian Wright

Martinelli's omittance has drawn criticism from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright. Speaking on Sky Sports, Wright said: "The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable. I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, 'yeah, it's time for him to move him on.' But there's ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave."

Wright, who revealed that no one at the club had spoken to Martinelli about his future, added: "He's done enough with this squad to be treated with a little bit more respect than he's being treated with at the moment."

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has also urged Arteta not to sell Martinelli, telling talkSPORT that he believes the forward still has much to offer and can turn a corner after a difficult end to last season.

Al-Hilal's Broader Transfer Ambitions

Al-Hilal's interest is not limited to Martinelli. The Saudi club are also in talks with Aston Villa over striker Ollie Watkins, who missed Villa's 4-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday. Villa manager Unai Emery did not guarantee that Watkins would stay, and the club have rejected multiple offers, claiming they are not close to an agreement.

Al-Hilal had previously pursued Everton's Iliman Ndiaye but ended negotiations after the player rejected a move to Saudi Arabia. They are now prioritising a new winger, and Martinelli is open to the possibility of joining the Saudi Pro League, according to multiple reports.

The Financial Equation

A deal of around £60 million would surpass Arsenal's current outgoing transfer record of £35 million, set when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in 2017. Arsenal paid just £6 million for Martinelli in 2019, making a sale at their asking price a significant financial return.

Sources indicate that the potential fee could also fund other targets. Arsenal have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, with Atletico reportedly setting a price of over £128 million. There have also been discussions around Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, though that move appears to have cooled. Additionally, Arsenal have been told that Juventus striker Kenan Yildiz is not for sale.

Update on Transfer Speculation

The latest developments continue to emerge as the transfer window deadline approaches, and it remains to be seen if Al-Hilal will meet Arsenal's asking price and reach an agreement with the player. Martinelli's representatives have not commented publicly on the talks.