Saudi Arabian clubs push for more stars
Football fans were stunned when Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal (unsuccessfully) submitted a world-record bid of over US$332 million (300 million euros) for Paris Saint Germain’s French striker Kylian Mbappé – one of the best players in the world right now.
Mbappé’s future at PSG has been in doubt since he told the club in June that he would not extend his existing deal through to 2025, meaning he would become a free agent next summer, and able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with another club as early as January.
The 24-year-old has been left out of PSG’s squad for its pre-season tour of Japan, with the club having issued him an ultimatum to sign a new contract or be sold.
During early July, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi outlined the club’s stance over the Frenchman’s future during a press conference held to welcome the team’s new head coach Luis Enrique.
“Our position is very clear, very clear. If Kylian Mbappé wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract,” Al-Khelaifi told reporters.
“We cannot let the best player in the world right now leave for free. That is impossible. This is a French club, and as he has said, he is not planning to leave for free.
“If somebody has changed his mind, it is not our fault. We are not going to let one of the best players in the world leave for free. It is very clear.”
Mbappé however rejected a move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, explaining to the club that he has no intention of leaving to play in Saudi Arabia for at least a year.
That hasn’t stopped the Saudi Arabian sides from securing impressive deals.
The current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema got Saudi Arabia’s summer business underway in style, completing a free transfer from 14-time European champions Real Madrid to the two-time Asian champions Al Ittihad. The 35-year-old France international signed a two-year contract worth €400million ($436m).
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson completed his three-year move to the Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq, where he will join former Reds teammate Gerrard. The 33-year-old England international joined Liverpool in 2011, and won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and League Cup with them.
Al Ahli have had a good transfer securing Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City and Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle United.
After a year playing for the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Sadio Mane will team up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Wesley Fofana and Alex Telles at Al Nassr on a four-year deal.
Mane, the 31-year-old Senegal international, had an underwhelming season at Bayern, scoring 12 goals in 38 appearances and falling out of favour with the team for punching teammate Leroy Sane after a Champions League defeat to Manchester City in April.
The transfer market is still open, as Saudi Arabian sides still have their sights set on more big-name players.
Mbappé’s future at PSG has been in doubt since he told the club in June that he would not extend his existing deal through to 2025, meaning he would become a free agent next summer, and able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with another club as early as January.
The 24-year-old has been left out of PSG’s squad for its pre-season tour of Japan, with the club having issued him an ultimatum to sign a new contract or be sold.
During early July, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi outlined the club’s stance over the Frenchman’s future during a press conference held to welcome the team’s new head coach Luis Enrique.
“Our position is very clear, very clear. If Kylian Mbappé wants to stay, we want him to stay. But he needs to sign a new contract,” Al-Khelaifi told reporters.
“We cannot let the best player in the world right now leave for free. That is impossible. This is a French club, and as he has said, he is not planning to leave for free.
“If somebody has changed his mind, it is not our fault. We are not going to let one of the best players in the world leave for free. It is very clear.”
Mbappé however rejected a move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, explaining to the club that he has no intention of leaving to play in Saudi Arabia for at least a year.
That hasn’t stopped the Saudi Arabian sides from securing impressive deals.
The current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema got Saudi Arabia’s summer business underway in style, completing a free transfer from 14-time European champions Real Madrid to the two-time Asian champions Al Ittihad. The 35-year-old France international signed a two-year contract worth €400million ($436m).
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson completed his three-year move to the Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq, where he will join former Reds teammate Gerrard. The 33-year-old England international joined Liverpool in 2011, and won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and League Cup with them.
Al Ahli have had a good transfer securing Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City and Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle United.
After a year playing for the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Sadio Mane will team up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Wesley Fofana and Alex Telles at Al Nassr on a four-year deal.
Mane, the 31-year-old Senegal international, had an underwhelming season at Bayern, scoring 12 goals in 38 appearances and falling out of favour with the team for punching teammate Leroy Sane after a Champions League defeat to Manchester City in April.
The transfer market is still open, as Saudi Arabian sides still have their sights set on more big-name players.
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