Teen winger Bartishvili flies in for Arsenal medical as Martinelli's £60m Saudi exit nears

Arsenal are completing business on two fronts after the Premier League transfer window closed, with teenage Georgian winger Andria Bartishvili arriving in London for a medical on Wednesday and Gabriel Martinelli’s £60m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal edging closer to confirmation.

Bartishvili, 17, has agreed a five-year deal with the Gunners after Arsenal reportedly beat Juventus and Liverpool to his signature in a move worth €4.5m (£3.85m). The youngster, who has drawn comparisons to Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and can play as both a winger and creative midfielder, acknowledged the attention his signing has attracted. “A very big thank you to everyone for the congratulations,” he wrote on Instagram. Despite completing the transfer, Bartishvili will not join the first-team squad until he turns 18 in March 2027.

Meanwhile, Martinelli’s departure from the Emirates is expected to be formalised shortly. The 25-year-old Brazilian will join Al-Hilal in a deal worth £55.7m plus £4.3m in add-ons — a club record sale for Arsenal — and is set to sign a four-year contract at the Riyadh-based club, according to The Athletic. Martinelli underwent his medical on Wednesday. Saudi clubs have until September 6 to complete transfers, giving the deal room to be officially announced after the Premier League window shut on September 1.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian fourth-tier football in 2019 and leaves having scored 62 goals and registered 36 assists in 278 appearances, contributing to Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs during his time at the club.

The two deals come at the end of a busy summer overseen by sporting director Andrea Berta, who spent £200m on five signings including midfielder Bruno Guimaraes (£75m), defender Ezri Konsa (£55m) and winger Christos Tzolis (£34m). Arsenal also parted ways with Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard and Christian Norgaard during the window.

Despite the significant outlay, Arsenal failed to add a marquee centre-forward, having been linked with the likes of Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez throughout the summer.