Marcos Casseb has described Gabriel Martinelli’s £60million move to Al-Hilal Saudi FC as a clean break rather than a messy exit. The agent says Arsenal and Martinelli both felt it was the right time for a change, after seven years in north London.

Arsenal and Martinelli both saw the move coming

Casseb told football.london that the winger turned down offers from Italian clubs, German clubs and other Premier League sides before the Saudi move went through. “His time at Arsenal has come to an end. It was seven years; he arrived there at 18 years old,” he said.

He added: “Arsenal underwent a massive restructuring and, last year, they won the Premier League. We felt it was time for him to move on, and the club had also seen it that way. It was a very good departure for him and for Arsenal.”

Arsenal’s numbers back up why the club could treat the sale as part of a successful cycle. They finished top of the Premier League with 85 points, went 26-7-5 in the league and were unbeaten in the Champions League at 8-0-0.

Casseb also said Martinelli became Arsenal’s biggest-ever sale. That fits the way the move has been framed by those close to it, as a transfer that suited both sides rather than one forced by dispute.

Brazil and Corinthians remain in the plan

The longer view is still pointed back to Brazil. Casseb said Martinelli dreams of returning and wants to play for Corinthians one day, while also adding that a Brazil comeback is something he sees “a little further down the line”.

“He does dream of returning, playing for Corinthians, the club he left, his passion. He wants to come back someday,” Casseb said. He also said Martinelli has four years left on his Saudi Arabia contract, until he is 29.

That part of the story is still open, but the immediate one is settled enough: Martinelli has moved on, Arsenal have banked a record sale and the agent is presenting the deal as a planned reset rather than a falling-out. The return to Brazil can wait for later.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →