Al-Hilal in advanced talks with Arsenal to sign Martinelli

Arsenal are in advanced talks with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal over the sale of Gabriel Martinelli for at least £50m

The Brazil international, 25, is free to leave the club this summer, with manager Mikel Arteta making it clear the attacker is not in his plans. Discussions between the clubs have intensified in the last 24 hours, with a deal now close.

If a final agreement is reached, it will be up to Martinelli - who has already turned down a move to Galatasaray - to decide whether he wants to play in the Saudi Pro League. The wage package Al-Hilal are offering is also understood to be significantly more than his reported £180,000-per-week deal at Arsenal.

Martinelli, who joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019, has 12 months remaining on his deal at Emirates Stadium. He made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals, as the Gunners won the Premier League title.

But he was left out of the squad for their league opener against Coventry on Friday, which the Gunners won 3-0. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was critical of Arteta's decision to omit Martinelli from the squad, as well as the club's treatment of the forward.

Al-Hilal's interest in Martinelli runs alongside a move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. The England international did not feature in Aston Villa's opening weekend defeat by Brighton on Sunday, with manager Unai Emery refusing to guarantee the forward would stay at Villa Park.