Kylian Mbappe, the French soccer star, is attracting attention from Saudi Arabian football team Al-Hilal, who made a staggering 300 million euro ($332 million) bid for him. After missing out on Lionel Messi, Al-Hilal is hoping to secure Mbappe’s services and pair him with Cristiano Ronaldo in their team. Paris Saint-Germain has confirmed the offer and granted Al-Hilal permission to negotiate with Mbappe directly. Mbappe’s contract with PSG is coming to an end, and he has decided not to extend it for another year, planning to leave as a free agent and potentially join Real Madrid. The relationship between Mbappe and PSG has been strained, resulting in the French club’s decision to exclude him from their preseason tour of Japan. This move indicates that PSG is determined to sell Mbappe unless he signs a new contract. The bid for Mbappe, if successful, would make him the most expensive soccer player in history, surpassing the record set by Neymar’s transfer fee to PSG in 2017. Saudi Arabian teams, including Al-Hilal, have been actively pursuing top players from Europe’s elite leagues, with recent signings such as Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante. The aim is to raise the profile and quality of soccer in the country. While Al-Hilal may face competition for Mbappe’s signature, it is unlikely that any other club can match their massive bid. Mbappe has expressed his intention to fulfill the remaining year on his contract, leaving PSG with little power to prevent him from leaving for free next year. With PSG already losing Messi without a fee, they are determined to earn a substantial amount for Mbappe, considering him one of the few players capable of filling the void left by the departures of Messi and Ronaldo. The acquisition of Mbappe would significantly bolster Al-Hilal’s lineup, following their failed attempt to sign Messi. The Saudi team appears to be part of a broader effort by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to use the country’s wealth to attract international sports talent, creating economic opportunities for Saudi Arabia’s youth. However, critics argue that these endeavors are simply a form of “sportswashing” and an attempt to improve the kingdom’s image, ignoring its controversial human rights record and involvement in conflicts like the war in Yemen. As Mbappe’s future remains uncertain, it will be interesting to see if he will join Al-Hilal, Real Madrid, or another club, with Madrid in particular needing a top-class forward after losing Benzema. The ongoing saga surrounding Mbappe’s contract situation adds intrigue to the upcoming season.
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