Al-Hilal insert 'penalty clause' in Gabriel Martinelli's contract after sealing £60m deal with Arsenal
Arsenal are close to concluding the club-record sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal.
The Brazil international was put on the transfer list this summer and was even left out of the games against Manchester City in the Community Shield and Coventry in the Premier League.
Al-Hilal have been in talks to sign Martinelli for a few weeks now, and a deal is now closer than ever to completion.
One interesting detail about the player’s contract has now emerged.
Gabriel Martinelli’s Al-Hilal contract includes a ‘penalty clause’
Arsenal have always been poor sellers, but this summer finally represents a change.
The Gunners’ record sale is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35 million move to Liverpool nearly a decade ago, and that always led to mockery from rival fans.
Andrea Berta has finally fixed that.
Al-Hilal are set to sign Gabriel Martinelli for €70 million (£60m), and he will soon be Arsenal’s record sale.
As we reported previously, Martinelli is set to earn a whopping €20 million a year with his new contract, but that deal also includes an interesting stipulation.
James Benge of CBS Sports has claimed that Al-Hilal have inserted a ‘penalty clause’, which would make the Brazilian more expensive to European clubs should they come calling to sign him before 2030.
The journalist tweeted: “Al-Hilal have reached an agreement with Arsenal for Gabriel Martinelli, the deal worth €70m.
“The Brazilian is due to sign a four-year contract at €20 million a season, which sources say includes a penalty clause that effectively increases the price any European club pay before 2030.”
Al-Hilal have reached an agreement with Arsenal for Gabriel Martinelli, the deal worth €70m. The Brazilian is due to sign a four year contract at €20m a season which sources say include a penalty clause that effectively increases the price any European club pay before 2030.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) August 30, 2026
Gabriel Martinelli leaving Arsenal is sad to see but it is the right decision
It is such a shame that Martinelli is leaving Arsenal.
Everyone believed the Gunners had found a superstar after his debut season at the Emirates, with Jurgen Klopp even calling him a talent of the century.
Sadly, Martinelli failed to fulfil his potential at Arsenal, and even though everyone in and around the club adores him, it’s the right time for a move.
Arsenal get a huge fee and Martinelli makes a significant amount of money, so everybody wins on the financial side. We really hope he smashes it on the pitch as well.
