AC Milan's troubles in the Saudi Pro League continued as Al-Hilal stunned the Serie A giants with a 3-2 victory, marking their third consecutive defeat.
AC Milan's woes on the pitch have been well-documented, but the latest loss to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League has raised more questions about the team's ability to compete at the highest level. The Italian side has struggled to find consistency this season, and their recent defeats have left them reeling.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal's victory has been made possible by their aggressive pursuit of top talent, including Brazilian international Gabriel Martinelli. The 28-year-old attacker has agreed to join the Saudi Pro League side in a deal worth around €60M, with his former club Arsenal set to pocket a significant profit.
The move is a significant coup for Al-Hilal, who have been proactive in their pursuit of top-shelf forwards this summer. Simone Inzaghi, the club's coach, has been instrumental in convincing Martinelli to make the move, despite the attacker's initial reservations.
In related news, AC Milan's interest in Martinelli had been reported earlier in the summer, but the Italian side ultimately decided against pursuing the attacker due to his wages being out of reach. The Brazilian international was reportedly deemed untouchable by coach Luciano Spalletti, who has been keen to keep his squad intact.
The loss to Al-Hilal has left AC Milan's fans frustrated, but the team's management has vowed to bounce back from the defeat. The Italian side has a busy schedule ahead, with several key matches lined up in the coming weeks.
As for Martinelli, the Brazilian international is set to make his debut for Al-Hilal in the coming weeks, with the Saudi Pro League side looking to capitalize on their new signing. The attacker's arrival is expected to boost the team's attacking options, and fans are eagerly awaiting his first appearance in the Al-Hilal jersey.
The transfer saga surrounding Martinelli has been one of the most high-profile stories of the summer, with several top clubs vying for his signature. However, in the end, Al-Hilal's offer proved too enticing for the Brazilian international, who has agreed to join the Saudi Pro League side on a lucrative deal.
The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming days, with Martinelli set to become one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League. The Brazilian international's move to Al-Hilal has sent shockwaves through the football world, with many fans left wondering what could have been if he had joined AC Milan instead.
Source: Yahoo Sports