Wednesday 27 / November / 2024
Paris: Saudi Arabian football giants Al Hilal have made a record US $332 million bid for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and French striker Kylian Mbappe, media reports said on Monday.
PSG confirmed the offer for its player and has given Al Hilal permission to open negotiations directly with Mbappe.
The 24-year-old France captain, who has a year left on his contract, has refused to sign an extension at the French champions and was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan.
The 2018 World Cup winner plans to walk away as a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, and is widely expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Al Hilal's bid would make Mbappé the most expensive player fee in history, overtaking the US$262m PSG paid for Neymar's rights when the team signed the Brazilian from Barcelona in 2017.
The bid represents Saudi Arabia's most ambitious move yet as part of a determined recruitment drive to lure the game's biggest players to the country.
Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté and Roberto Firmino are among the big names to head to Saudi Arabia's lucrative league after Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to a deal with Al Nassr in December.
Lionel Messi opted against Al Hilal, instead choosing MLS team Inter Miami CF after leaving PSG.
But a host of players have made the move, with more expected to follow before the start of next season. Premier League stars such as Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson have been linked with moves.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Barcelona have all expressed an interest in Mbappe, who has previously said he intends to leave PSG for free at the end of next season.
The feeling at PSG is that he has already agreed to join La Liga giants Real Madrid on the expiration of his contract.
However, chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi has made clear his determination to take a tough stance, saying it is "impossible" that Mbappe be allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2024.
Al Hilal are one of the clubs owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. They have already signed Ruben Neves from Wolves and Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea this summer.
