The last few days of the summer transfer window always bring a flurry of activity and 2026 has been no different. We have two more exits from the Arsenal attacking unit to go over, in Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson. The latter has seen his contract torn up (sorry, “mutual agreement to part ways”) a year before it expires.
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Nelson is now a free agent, and any club that is interested in signing the 26-year-old winger, can so do without having to pay a transfer fee.
After four loan moves during his stint with the North London club, it was long past time that all parties moved on. The club itself released a statement on Nelson becoming a free agent.
As for Martinelli, according to mutliple reports, he’s finalizing a £56 million (€65m, $76m) move to Al-Hilal.
According to an ESPN report, the Saudi Pro League club is offering the Brazilian a four-year-contract. It’s not done as of yet, as Martinelli still needs to book and pass his medical.
And sign the paperwork. Martinelli and Nelson now join the likes of Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior as major departures from North London this summer.
There have been major incomings as well, including Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, Piero Hincapie and Ezri Konsa. So overall its been a very busy window at the Emirates.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.