Gabriel Martinelli completes €100m Real Madrid move from Arsenal
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has joined Real Madrid in a permanent transfer worth €100m (£85m), both clubs confirmed on Thursday. The 23-year-old Brazilian has signed a five-year contract with the La Liga giants, who triggered a release clause in his Arsenal deal after weeks of negotiations.
Martinelli’s move ends a five-year spell at Arsenal, where he scored 48 goals in 185 appearances and won the 2023 Community Shield. His departure comes as Madrid seeks to bolster its attacking options following Kylian Mbappé’s arrival, with Martinelli expected to compete for a starting role on the left wing.
The transfer fee makes Martinelli Madrid’s third-most expensive signing after Eden Hazard and Jude Bellingham. Arsenal had hoped to retain the winger after extending his contract to 2027 last year but ultimately accepted the Spanish club’s approach. The Gunners will receive €100m in a single payment, providing funds for their own summer recruitment plans.
Madrid’s pursuit aligns with their strategy of acquiring young, dynamic attackers under president Florentino Pérez. Martinelli’s pace and direct style suit manager Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred counterattacking system, while his versatility allows deployment across multiple forward positions. The move also continues Arsenal’s recent trend of selling high-value assets, following Folarin Balogun’s €35m exit to Monaco last summer.
Martinelli is scheduled to undergo a medical in Madrid on Friday before being unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu. His arrival completes a transformative window for Madrid, who have also signed Mbappé and defender Leny Yoro this summer.
