PSG forward Kylian Mbappe is the target of a historic £259m offer from Saudi Arabian football club Al-Hilal
Kylian Mbappe’s prospective transfer is the talk of the summer football season.
Facing Mbappe’s refusal to renew his contract with Paris St-Germain, the French titans are making efforts to capitalise on their record-breaking goalscorer to prevent a free transfer next year.
The Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal turned heads in football circles on Monday, proposing a staggering world record bid of £259m for the World Cup champion.
The questions now are – Will he exchange the UEFA Champions League for the Saudi Pro League? Where is he most likely to sign?
A Brief History:
Joining PSG on loan from Monaco in 2017, and eventually moving for 180m euros (£166m), Mbappe has scored an impressive 212 goals in 260 matches.
Despite numerous domestic triumphs and assembling a powerful trio of world-renowned players – Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, the Champions League title remains elusive for the Qatari-owned team.
Mbappe’s contract lasts until June 2024, but he informed the team last month of his decision to stay this season but not prolong his deal.
Tensions have escalated, with PSG excluding him from their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.
PSG’s chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, expressed his resolution to remain firm, and there are hints that Mbappe might be benched for a year if he does not negotiate.
The French team has granted Al-Hilal, one of four teams owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, permission to negotiate with Mbappe.
Could Mbappe Move to Saudi Arabia and What Could His Al-Hilal Paycheck Look Like?
French football journalist, Lisa Leroux, thinks that the £259m bid highlights Mbappe as a “once in a generation player”, but she believes “it’s not just about the money” for him and that he is unlikely to move.
Moving to Saudi could potentially make Mbappe the highest-earning football player, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s reported £177m annual salary at Al Nassr after his transfer from Manchester United in December.
Reports suggest that Mbappe could earn up to 700m euros (£602m) a year with endorsements and image rights added to his salary.
Leroux quoted that no footballer has ever been offered such a salary, calling it “historic and otherworldly”.
Or Will He End up Somewhere Else?
Real Madrid has shown long-standing interest in the player and almost acquired him before he extended his contract with PSG last year. However, Mbappe has refuted rumors of his intention to join Real this summer as “false”.
Clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have also shown interest.
PSG is considering a loan deal for Mbappe this summer to allow him to see out his contract at another club.
This would permit him to join Real for free in a year, continue playing this season, and earn PSG a loan fee.
Could Real Madrid Be the Destination?
Laurens suggests that Real should make a move for Mbappe this summer to avoid bidding wars concerning signing fees and wages when he becomes a free agent.
According to Laurens, if they can recruit him now, their team will see immediate improvement. He adds that there is enough room in the wage bill for Mbappe, even after a hefty 103m euros spent on England’s Jude Bellingham.
What About Financial Fair Play in Saudi?
In June, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took over four leading clubs, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli. This group also owns Newcastle United.
Financial Fair Play, which ensures that European football clubs do not spend beyond their earnings, does not apply to Saudi Arabia, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire. As a result, the Saudi teams, unburdened by cost control restrictions, can always outbid Premier League clubs.
Will Mbappe join the notable players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Neves, who have already signed with Saudi teams this summer? Only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kylian Mbappe transfer
Who has made a record bid for Kylian Mbappe?
Saudi Arabian football club Al-Hilal has made a historic £259m bid for PSG striker Kylian Mbappe.
What is the duration of Mbappe’s current contract with PSG?
Mbappe’s current contract with Paris St-Germain runs until June 2024.
Has Mbappe expressed any interest in extending his contract with PSG?
No, Mbappe has told the club he will stay this season but will not extend his contract.
Which clubs have shown interest in Kylian Mbappe?
Real Madrid has shown long-standing interest in Mbappe. Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan, and Barcelona have also shown interest.
What could be Mbappe’s potential annual earnings if he moves to Saudi Arabia?
Reports suggest that Mbappe could earn up to 700m euros (£602m) a year with endorsements and image rights added to his salary if he moves to Saudi Arabia.
Do Saudi Arabian clubs have to adhere to Financial Fair Play regulations?
No, Financial Fair Play regulations, which ensure that European football clubs do not spend beyond their earnings, do not apply to Saudi Arabian clubs.
More about Kylian Mbappe transfer
- Kylian Mbappe Player Profile
- Paris Saint-Germain Official Website
- Al-Hilal Official Website
- Real Madrid Official Website
- UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations
- Saudi Pro League Official Website
- FIFA Transfer Regulations
7 comments
Mbappe leaving PSG is gonna be a massive blow! With him, Neymar and Messi we could have finally won the UCL! 🙁
OMG!! 259 mil? that’s insane! But I don’t see Mbappe going to saudi, surely he’s Madrid bound??
I was really hoping United would make a serious bid for him, just imagine Mbappe and Rashford together!
I can’t believe how much money is being thrown around in football these days. It’s just wild! And I thought Neymar’s move was big!
I don’t know, going to saudi might be great for his bank account but what about his career? The competition isn’t the same level as Europe.
2 mil euros a day? thats crazy! Can’t even begin to imagine how you’d spend that…
As a Real Madrid fan, this is great news! We’ve been after him for years, hopefully, it’s finally happening