Arsenal set surprising price tag for Gabriel Martinelli after Al-Hilal interest

Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are interested in signing Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli this summer. The Brazilian is open for a move to Al Hilal, and according to The Athletic, Arsenal want a fee in the region of £60 million for the player.

It is far from being complete. No agreement has been reached, but talks are ongoing between the three parties and it is expected that a result will be made sooner rather than later.

There's only a few days left in the transfer window, and if Arsenal go on to sell Martinelli now, they would then need to sign a left winger to fill the gap that the Brazilian would leave.

Obviously, they would be open to signing players like Bradley Barcola and other players, but it also depends on them wanting to join Arsenal.

Even if they did want to join Arsenal, Martinelli would obviously have to leave for a slot to open up. Arsenal could just sign a new player, but it is better for all parties if a sale is made before.

It is a bit of a weird, surprising move because Martinelli rejected the idea of playing for Galatasaray, reportedly because he wanted to play in the top leagues of the world.

Now, if he joins Al Hilal, he would go from playing in the Premier League to playing outside of Europe in the Saudi Pro League, which, no offense to the league, but it's not exactly the competitive environment that Martinelli was said to be hoping for.

The price tag as well is a lot of money. Arsenal might actually get the money, but for a player who is now 25 years old and has not really shown any signs of hitting the consistency that every Arsenal fan wanted him to, it is a bit steep.

It is a lot of money for a player who has not developed into a star and is supposed to be entering his prime in a couple of years.

He is still a very good player and he would help whatever team he would join, but £60 million for a very inconsistent, streaky winger who hasn't really developed too much since his debut for the club a few years ago is a bit surprising.

If Arsenal are able to pull that off, it is brilliant business from them, obviously. But it is just difficult to see any other club paying the same fee.

Saudi Arabian clubs have overpaid for transfers before and spent a lot of money on players in the past. They might do the same with Martinelli. They might think he is worth £60 million.

Many people might think he is worth that money. I personally don't, but it is very good business for Arsenal if they are able to pull this transfer off and then focus on signing another left winger to bolster the squad even more.

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