Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has criticised the reported £51 million fee the club could receive for winger Gabriel Martinelli. According to a report from Sportskeeda this week, Martinelli is close to joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this summer, but Smith believes the valuation is insufficient in the current market.
Smith, who made over 300 appearances for the Gunners, did not hold back in his assessment. "£50m? It’s nothing these days, is it?" he said. "You can get an average player… but Martinelli isn’t an average player." The 25-year-old Brazilian has been a key figure for Mikel Arteta's side in recent seasons, but Smith suggested the player may have lost his way slightly and could be seeking a fresh challenge if he feels his game time will be limited.
What does the fee mean for Arsenal's budget?
The potential sale arrives during an aggressive summer of recruitment at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have already sealed a blockbuster deal for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, a standout Premier League performer since 2022. They have also strengthened their defence with the versatile Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa and brought in Greek winger Christos Tzolis as cover, a player who has reportedly impressed in his early outings. A £51 million injection from Martinelli's departure could provide further funds, with the club having been linked throughout the summer with a move for Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.
How does this affect the current squad?
Martinelli's potential exit would create a vacancy in a forward line that has started the 2026-27 season strongly. Arsenal sit 2nd in the Premier League with three points from one game, having scored three goals without conceding. Bukayo Saka is the early top scorer with one goal. The team's next test is an away trip to face Aston Villa on 31 August, a fixture you can view on our fixtures page. Arteta's refreshed squad, detailed on our squad list, will need to maintain this positive form.
What did other Premier League stars say?
The respect for Arsenal's project extends beyond former players. At the recent PFA Awards, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who was named Men's Player of the Year, admitted he voted for an Arsenal star. "I won't say who it was but I voted for some Arsenal player, they were amazing; very strong, very difficult to play against," Fernandes said. He praised the club's successful previous campaign, both domestically and in Europe, stating they deserve all the respect the league has to give.
Smith speculated that a move to Saudi Arabia could be a stepping stone for Martinelli, suggesting he might return to a major European league after a couple of years. For now, Arsenal's focus is on integrating new signings and building on their perfect start, which sees them near the top of the standings. The coming days will determine if the Martinelli deal proceeds and how the club chooses to reinvest.
