Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian soccer team, has made an astonishing 300 million euro bid for French striker Kylian Mbappe, after failing to sign Lionel Messi. This bid could potentially lead to Mbappe joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, adding another high-profile player to the oil-rich nation’s soccer league.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has confirmed receiving the offer for Mbappe and has granted Al-Hilal permission to negotiate directly with the player. Mbappe, the 2018 World Cup winner, is currently in a contract dispute with PSG. He opted not to extend his deal for another year, intending to become a free agent next season and join Real Madrid.
In response, PSG excluded Mbappe from their preseason tour in Japan, indicating their resolve to sell him unless he agrees to a new contract. The relationship between Mbappe and PSG has been increasingly strained, making a new deal highly unlikely.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has pursued an aggressive strategy of investing in international sports. In addition to Ronaldo, who reportedly earns up to $200 million annually, the Saudi-funded LIV Golf has made waves in professional golf. These endeavors reflect the efforts of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to utilize the kingdom’s oil wealth to create opportunities for Saudi Arabia’s youth. However, critics argue that these efforts are merely a form of “sportswashing,” aimed at improving the kingdom’s image despite its human rights issues and involvement in conflicts like the war in Yemen.
Al-Hilal had previously failed in its attempt to sign Messi, who chose to join Inter Miami instead. Nevertheless, their bid for Mbappe would surpass PSG’s previous record-breaking purchase of Neymar for $262 million. This move showcases Saudi Arabia’s determination to recruit top players and elevate the quality and profile of soccer in the country.
Despite Mbappe’s intention to honor the final year of his contract, PSG may find themselves powerless to prevent him from leaving for free next year. As Qatar Sports Investments-owned PSG has already experienced losing Messi without receiving a fee, they are determined to secure a transfer fee for Mbappe, who is widely regarded as one of soccer’s future superstars.
Mbappe’s exclusion from PSG’s tour suggests that he may face limited playing time in the upcoming season if he refuses to sign a new contract or leave during the current transfer window. While Al-Hilal is one of several clubs interested in signing him, it is unlikely that any can match the massive bid presented by the Saudi team.
Although there has been speculation that Mbappe will join Real Madrid, who had a 2021 bid of $190 million rejected by PSG, Madrid is currently in need of a top-class forward after losing Benzema. Mbappe had until July 31 to trigger a one-year extension on his contract. He joined PSG in 2017 from Monaco in a reported $190 million transfer.
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