Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who left the London club last summer for Saudi Arabian football, has signalled through his agent that he would like to wear the Corinthians shirt again in the future. A return to Arsenal is not on the table.
A record transfer to Saudi Arabia
Last summer, Al-Hilal signed Martinelli for £60 million, making the deal the most expensive sale in Arsenal’s history. The forward’s contract with the Saudi club runs until 2030, providing the player with stability for the foreseeable future.
Seven years in London began with a £6 million signing
Martinelli spent seven seasons at Arsenal. The club signed him as a promising but little-known Brazilian from the lower leagues for a modest £6 million by Premier League standards. The move took place in the summer, before Mikel Arteta took charge. The winger gradually established himself in the starting XI and became a prominent figure in the Gunners’ attack.
Why Corinthians
Martinelli’s connection with Corinthians goes back to his childhood. He supported the club from an early age and joined their academy at six years old, spending four years there. For many Brazilian footballers, returning to the club that shaped their character remains one of the most important career goals, and Martinelli is no exception.
What agent Marcos Kasseb says
Martinelli’s agent Marcos Kasseb, speaking to Brazilian outlet Itatiaia Esporte, shared his client’s plans. He noted that the player still has four years left on his contract, meaning Martinelli will be 29 by the time it expires. According to Kasseb, the forward dreams of one day playing for Corinthians, the club of his childhood and his passion. The agent also stressed that the Brazilian has every chance of returning to the Brazil national team if he continues to perform at a consistently high level.
It is worth noting that the contract with Al-Hilal formally expires in 2030, and the agent’s reference to “four years” points to the same horizon. This is therefore a long-term prospect, and any talk of a move to Brazil remains a plan for the future.
A title-winning season and 53 appearances to sign off
In his final full season at Arsenal, Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions. The team ended the campaign by winning the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait for the league title. The Brazilian’s contribution to that historic achievement cannot be overstated.
From the starting XI to the status of a saleable asset
However, the start of the following season sharply altered Martinelli’s position. It became clear that the club’s leadership viewed him primarily as a player capable of generating significant transfer revenue. The signals were unmistakable.
Key decisions that signalled the split with the club:
- Martinelli was left out of the matchday squad for the Community Shield.
- He was then omitted from the squad for the opening fixture of the Premier League season against Coventry.
These moves effectively confirmed that the player and Arsenal had parted ways long before the official transfer announcement.
The immediate future lies in Saudi Arabia
A return to Brazil remains a scenario for later. In the coming years, Martinelli has a clear and immediate objective: to establish himself at Al-Hilal, secure regular playing time, and win back his place in the Brazil national team. According to those close to him, it is precisely these outcomes that will determine what the next chapter holds for the 25-year-old forward.
Great expectations are placed on the player, as he genuinely has the potential to strengthen the team. Many experts from Saudi Arabia and other countries have already been revising their predictions regarding Al-Hilal’s upcoming fixtures. This became evident after examining bookmakers’ odds not only in Asian countries but also in the most remote regions. In particular, Brazilian rankings and best no deposit bonuses at australian casinos were reviewed, as many well-known bookmakers in those markets are represented there.
It turned out that they are actively accepting bets on Al-Hilal’s matches, and the odds on future fixtures have genuinely shifted in a more positive direction following Martinelli’s arrival. There is therefore little doubt that the former Arsenal forward will strive to justify the high expectations placed upon him.