Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan to transform its domestic soccer league into a high-profile and glamorous competition has caught the attention of superstar players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. However, their most audacious target yet is Kylian Mbappé.
Recently, Al Hilal, one of the notable teams in the Saudi Professional League, made an astonishing offer of $332 million to Paris St.-Germain (Mbappé’s current team) for the services of the French striker. If this deal goes through, it will shatter previous records and make Mbappé the most expensive player in the history of soccer, surpassing the $263 million Neymar transfer to P.S.G. six years ago.
The official bid was sent to Nasser Al-Khelaifi, P.S.G.’s chief executive, on Saturday. Al Hilal’s chief executive signed the offer, specifying the proposed price and requesting permission to discuss salary and contract details with Mbappé. Some news outlets reported on Monday that P.S.G. had granted this request.
According to insiders, Al Hilal is expecting initial talks with Mbappé’s agent and mother, Fayza Lamari, early this week. It is anticipated that the club will have to offer a substantial salary to convince the 24-year-old Mbappé, who is widely regarded as the heir to Ronaldo and Messi, to leave P.S.G. for a team in what was recently ranked as the 58th strongest domestic league in soccer.
Mbappé is already handsomely rewarded at P.S.G., receiving a contract last year worth $36 million per year, along with a $120 million golden handshake. Nevertheless, even considering the financial resources of P.S.G.’s owner, Qatar Sports Investment, which is backed by the Qatari state, Al Hilal may not be deterred. Al Hilal is now majority-owned by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, like three other Saudi teams.
Al Hilal’s pursuit of Mbappé is somewhat opportunistic. Speculation about Mbappé’s future has been rife since early June when he informed P.S.G. that he intended to see out the final year of his current contract and become a free agent in 2024. P.S.G., however, has made it clear that they will not let go of such a prized asset without a fight, offering Mbappé a new contract that would extend his stay beyond 2024. Failing to sign the contract could lead to an uncertain future, with either a potential transfer or spending the season on the bench.
P.S.G. has sought legal advice to assess their position in this matter. Mbappé has maintained his intention to stay with the club for the upcoming season, although he was left out of the squad for the preseason tour of Asia as a result of the ongoing standoff.
Al Hilal is not the only team seeking to take advantage of the growing rift between P.S.G. and one of soccer’s most talented and marketable players. Several clubs, including Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, have expressed interest in Mbappé. Reports suggest that Real Madrid, a long-favored destination, may already have an agreement in place for Mbappé to move to the Spanish capital next summer.
It is precisely this expectation that Al Hilal, not typically seen as Mbappé’s natural next step at this stage of his career, hopes will give them an edge. Despite their willingness to spend considerable funds to secure his services, it has been reported that the Saudi club would allow Mbappé to leave for Spain after just one season in the Middle East.
Thus, Mbappé’s future remains uncertain, with several clubs vying for his signature and a potentially record-breaking transfer looming in the near future.
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