Al Hilal has finalized the acquisition of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal on Thursday.
The Saudi Pro League team is set to pay a fixed transfer fee of £60 million ($81 million), with Arsenal also receiving a portion of any future transfer fee, as reported by ESPN’s James Olley.
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This transfer marks Arsenal’s highest outgoing fee to date, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35 million move to Liverpool in 2017.
Martinelli has committed to a four-year deal with Al Hilal, who are currently leading the Saudi Pro League with an unbeaten record after four matches this season.
After seven years at Emirates Stadium, where he scored 62 goals in 278 appearances, Martinelli makes his exit. He originally joined Arsenal from the Brazilian club Ituano at the age of 18.
Last season, the 25-year-old made 53 appearances for Arsenal, helping the team secure their first Premier League title in 22 years and reach the Champions League final.
However, he hasn’t featured in Arsenal’s matchday squad for their opening Premier League games against Coventry City and Aston Villa.
This summer, Arsenal signed left-winger Christos Tzolis, with the Greece international participating in the club’s initial Premier League matches.
Martinelli was also a member of Brazil’s squad for the World Cup, where he scored in their round of 32 victory over Japan, before the team’s elimination by Norway.
He will begin training with his new teammates on Thursday, as stated by Al Hilal, and is expected to make his debut against Al Shabab on Friday.