Deal still on, medical tomorrow, but Arsenal won’t finalise £60m transfer by tonight’s 11pm deadline

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli sale to Al Hilal reportedly won’t be finalised by tonight’s transfer deadline, though it’s still on.

This is because the Brazil international can put the finishing touches on his move before the Saudi Pro League’s deadline, as their transfer window is on a different schedule.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
deadline.

Transfer deadline in Saudi Arabia is on Sept 6. Martinelli set to undergo a medical on Weds before signing 4 yr deal.@TheAthleticFC… pic.twitter.com/gPUi9T2hVO

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) September 1, 2026

? Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Al-Hilal remains on course, but will not be completed before Tuesday’s 11pm #EPL deadline.

Transfer deadline in Saudi Arabia is on Sept 6. Martinelli set to undergo a medical on Weds before signing 4 yr deal.@TheAthleticFC… pic.twitter.com/gPUi9T2hVO

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) September 1, 2026

“Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Al-Hilal remains on course, but will not be completed before Tuesday’s 11pm #EPL deadline. Transfer deadline in Saudi Arabia is on Sept 6. Martinelli set to undergo a medical on Weds before signing 4 yr deal,” Gunnerblog posted on X.

This follows Arsenal and Al Hilal agreeing for Martinelli to move for a £60m fee, as previously reported by the Athletic.

Arsenal taking a risk with Gabriel Martinelli sale

Arsenal fans probably would have all been in agreement about the need to bring in an upgrade on Martinelli this summer.

However, with the Gunners now surely running out of time to get a significant signing in, it seems a bit risky to still be allowing Martinelli to leave.

Even if Martinelli hasn’t quite been at his best in recent times, he’s still a proven Premier League forward with the pace and goal threat to make a difference.

As much as this might not sound like a huge compliment to Martinelli, he’s better than nothing.

Arsenal have already let Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus leave, while Ethan Nwaneri has moved on loan to Borussia Dortmund.

If Martinelli goes as well, with Christos Tzolis the only attacking signing coming in, that leaves Mikel Arteta worryingly short in the final third.