Gabriel Martinelli has completed his medical with Al Hilal, with the announcement of his Arsenal exit likely now imminent.
James Benge reported on Wednesday night that Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli had completed his medical with Al Hilal ahead of his €70m (£60m) transfer.
The Premier League transfer deadline was obviously on Tuesday, but the window in Saudi Arabia doesn’t close until September 6th, so the two clubs had a little more time to sort things out.
Martinelli is expected to sign a four-year deal ahead of his club-record departure, and now that the medical is done, the announcement can’t be far away.
David Ornstein recently reported for The Athletic that Arsenal and Al Hilal were close to finalising £60m transfer, with no add-on payments involved in the deal.
That may not be the last of the money Arsenal receive, as James Benge also reported on Sunday that progress had been made ironing out issues on a sell-on clause.
Benge had previously broken the news that Arsenal were looking to include a sell-on in the deal, which could provide the club with a further financial boost further down the line.
Martinelli has been a key player for Arsenal over the last seven years, making 278 appearances and scoring 62 goals from his spot on the left wing.
The 25-year-old has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield, and he extended his contract on a couple of occasions amid intense interest from elsewhere.
But the last couple of weeks have made it clear Mikel Arteta no longer intends to give the winger significant minutes, leaving him out of the matchday squads for the first three games of the season. It seems his move to the Saudi Pro League is now almost done.
- Arsenal keep winning while the old narratives refuse to disappearMikel Arteta’s new deal, Bruno Guimaraes’ impact, two Arsenal wins and a tribute to Ken Friar feature in a busy week for the champions.
- Arsenal away kit debut wait goes on – for nowArsenal are set to wear their third kit against Nottingham Forest this weekend, meaning the wait for the new away kit’s men’s competitive debut is set to continue.
- Key Nottingham Forest star could miss Arsenal clash through injuryNottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White is a doubt to face Arsenal on Sunday, with at least two other Forest players ruled out of the match.
- Arsenal injury updates on 4 players pre-Nottingham ForestMikel Arteta had injury updates on Arsenal’s four absentees on Friday, with Martin Zubimendi potentially in line to play against Nottingham Forest.
- Bournemouth now willing to sell Arsenal targetAFC Bournemouth are now open to selling Arsenal target Alex Scott in the January transfer window, though only if they receive a very large bid for the midfielder.