Who are Al Hilal, the Saudi club bidding to snare France and PSG star Kylian Mbappe?

26.07.2023 - 02:07 thenationalnews.com

Al Hilal were on Monday linked with a world-record bid for Paris Saint-Germain forward and France captain Kylian Mbappe, one of the most high-profile footballers in the game.

Here’s a look at the storied Saudi Pro League club reportedly seeking to seal a €300 million ($332m) deal. Who are they? Founded in 1957, Hilal are the record 18-times Saudi champions – nine titles clear of second on the list – who compete in the top tier of football in the kingdom.

They are one of three ever-present teams in the division. Hugely decorated, Hilal are considered one of the biggest clubs, if not the biggest, in Asia.

Their primary colours are blue and white. They are one of four Saudi clubs majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. Where are they? The club are based in Riyadh and play their home matches at the King Fahd International Stadium.

Saudi Pro League Kylian Mbappe Paris Saint-Germain France Saudi Arabia

The fee would be a record for the league, backed by the oil-rich state, in its spending spree on high-end soccer talent.

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Neymar was "in negotiations" on Sunday to become the latest football superstar to decamp for Saudi Arabia, leaving Paris Saint-Germain just as Kylian Mbappe was brought back in from the cold by the French champions. A source close to PSG told AFP that 31-year-old Neymar "no longer figures in the club or manager's plans" with the Brazilian immediately linked to Al-Hilal in the Gulf kingdom. Another source in Saudi Arabia said that "direct negotiations" between Neymar's agents and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) were ongoing.

Kylian Mbappé back in PSG squad after contract standoff - ESPN

Kylian Mbappé has rejoined the Paris Saint-Germain first team after two weeks training away from them, the club announced Sunday.

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Kylian Mbappe has returned to training with the Paris Saint-Germain first team after “very constructive and positive discussions” with the club.

Neymar 'Probably Leaving' Paris Saint-Germain For This Saudi Club: Report

Neymar is "probably leaving" Paris Saint-Germain, with an offer from Saudi Arabia said to be on the table, a source close to the negotiations told AFP on Sunday. The Brazil international joined the French champions for 220 million euros ($241m) from Barcelona in 2017. But the 31-year-old forward was missing from PSG's season-opener on Saturday, and "no longer figures in the club or manager's plans", the source stated. Reports have emerged that Al Hilal are currently negotiating a deal to sign the former Barcelona forward.

French superstar Kylian Mbappé reinstated by PSG to first team

PSG opened their Ligue 1 title defence with a goalless draw at home against Lorient on Saturday as the team's prize asset watched from the stands.