Arsenal set for stunning £54m profit as Ornstein confirms ‘talks’ to sign 62-goal Gunners star

Arsenal could be set to recoup £60million from the sale of Gabriel Martinelli, with reliable journalist David Ornstein confirming that Al Hilal have opened formal talks to sign the Brazilian.

The Gunners paid just £6million to sign Martinelli from Brazilian club Ituano back in 2019 and that has proven to be brilliant business.

Martinelli, 25, has notched an impressive 62 goals and 36 assists in 278 games for Arsenal, and helped the club to win the Premier League title last term – even if he only started 11 league games last term.

Following the £34million signing of Christos Tzolis this summer, Arsenal appear ready to sanction the sale of Martinelli, and Saudi Arabia now looks his most likely destination.

According to Ornstein, Al Hilal are in ongoing ‘talks’ to sign Martinelli from Arsenal, and crucially, the winger is ‘open’ to the move.

“Al Hilal pursuing deal to sign Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal. No agreement yet but talks ongoing between clubs + with 25yo winger,” Ornstein posted on X.

“#AFC want in region of £60m & Brazil international open to #AlHilal possibility after turning down Turkey.”

Martinelli exit likely as Arsenal eye Alvarez

Given Tzolis cost Arsenal around £34million this summer, selling Martinelli for £60million would represent excellent business, as well as a profit of £54million on the Brazilian.

Tzolis performed excellently on his Premier League debut for Arsenal on Friday, playing a leading role in the 3-0 victory over Coventry City.

A Martinelli sale would also give Arsenal more funds to play with in what remains of the transfer window.

Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez remains a dream target for the Gunners, but luring him away from the Spanish capital will be a very expensive deal.

However, reports suggest that Arsenal could try to drive down Alvarez’s price by proposing a stunning player-plus-cash deal including Viktor Gyokeres.

It will be interesting to see whether Arsenal do make a late push for Alvarez. But before that, Martinelli is expected to leave and Al Hilal have moved ahead of rival suitors in the race to sign him.