Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has rejected a meeting with officials from Saudi club Al Hilal, dealing a significant blow to their ambitious plans of securing a world-record $333 million transfer. According to reports, Mbappe’s entourage refused any discussions with representatives from Al Hilal, stating that the French star had never considered the option of joining the Saudi league.
Al Hilal, based in Riyadh, had been granted permission by PSG to hold talks with Mbappe, despite his lack of interest in moving to Saudi Arabia. Mbappe only has one year remaining on his contract with PSG, who are eager to secure a transfer fee rather than losing him for free next summer.
It is widely believed that Real Madrid had hoped to sign Mbappe on a free transfer next year, enticing him with a substantial signing bonus since they wouldn’t have to compensate PSG for his services. The standoff between Mbappe and his current club escalated recently when PSG excluded him from their squad for their tour of Japan and South Korea.
There have been suggestions that if Mbappe fails to find a resolution with PSG, he could face a year without being selected for matches. Despite the controversies, Mbappe remains PSG’s all-time leading scorer with an impressive record of 212 goals in 260 appearances. He currently holds the title of the second most expensive player in history, behind his PSG teammate Neymar.
Mbappe initially joined PSG on a season-long loan from Monaco in August 2017, before the move became permanent the following year in a deal worth €180 million. That transfer fee is only surpassed by Neymar’s €222 million move to PSG in 2017. PSG’s superstar trio also included Lionel Messi, who departed for MLS franchise Inter Miami at the end of last season.
Al Hilal is part of a select few clubs owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). In their efforts to strengthen the team, Al Hilal has already secured the signings of central defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea and Ruben Neves from Wolves during the current transfer window.
While the future of Kylian Mbappe remains uncertain, his refusal to engage with Al Hilal officials has dealt a major blow to the Saudis’ hopes of acquiring the French star. PSG will now look to negotiate a deal that benefits both the club and the player, with plenty of speculation surrounding Mbappe’s next destination. The coming weeks will likely see intense discussions and negotiations as both clubs seek a resolution to this high-profile transfer saga.
