Has Kylian Mbappe refused a whopping 300-million-euro move to Al Hilal? | Football News – Times of India
L’Equipe sports daily reported that Mbappe categorically refused “any discussion with the representatives of the Al-Hilal club, present in Paris this Wednesday.”
As per the same report, a delegation from Al Hilal had arrived in Paris with two primary objectives. First, they aimed to finalize the transfer of Brazilian player Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg. Secondly, they sought to present their ambitious project to the acclaimed Mbappe during their stay in the French capital.
However, the young star’s unwillingness to meet with them deals a significant blow to Al Hilal’s ambitious pursuit of acquiring his services at such a staggering price.
“This approach will not succeed,” added L’Equipe because the entourage of the 24-year-old player “refused any discussions with the representatives of the Saudi club”.
“The captain of Les Bleus has never considered this option,” the report added.
Al Hilal, based in Riyadh, were granted permission by PSG to initiate talks with Kylian Mbappe, despite the French striker never indicating any interest in a move to the rapidly growing Saudi league.
Mbappe currently has one year left on his contract with PSG, and the club is eager for him to depart now rather than leave on a free transfer next summer. However, the player is steadfastly refusing to sign a new contract, and PSG believes he has already made arrangements to join Real Madrid in the following year.
Real Madrid’s strategy is widely believed to involve acquiring Mbappe for free next year, enticing him with a substantial signing fee since they would not have to pay any transfer fee to PSG for his services.
The situation between Mbappe and PSG reached a critical point last weekend when the club decided to omit him from their squad for their tour of Japan and South Korea.
Speculations have risen that if Mbappe fails to reach a resolution with PSG, he might not be selected for an entire year.
As PSG’s all-time leading scorer with an impressive record of 212 goals in 260 appearances, Mbappe still holds the title of the second most expensive player in history, trailing only his PSG teammate Neymar.
Initially joining PSG on a season-long loan from Monaco in August 2017 while still a teenager, Mbappe’s move turned into a permanent transfer the following year in a deal worth 180 million euros, making him one of the most expensive signings at the time, second only to Neymar.
PSG’s superstar trio, consisting of Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, couldn’t prevent the club from being eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League’s last-16 stage last season, although they did secure the French title.
Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al Hilal has been active in the transfer market this summer, having already signed central defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea and Ruben Neves from Wolves.
