Paris Saint-Germain have given Kylian Mbappe permission to discuss personal terms with Al Hilal after The Saudi Arabian club offered a world-record transfer fee of around US$332 million. The French champions have told the 24-year-old that they can start talks with him the Saudi Pro League club looking to propose a massive $776 million salary deal, according to CBS Sports football insider James Benge. Central to Al Hilal’s bid is the fact that Mbappé could still join Real Madrid in 2024, which the PSG suspect has already agreed with an alleged signing fee of around $178m.
The French superstar is currently training in Paris with other unwanted Parisian players while his teammates are in Japan as part of a summer tour of Asia which he is not taking part in. PSG’s position remains the same: Mbappe can stay and be part of the wider project if he extends his current deal beyond the 2024 expiry date. The ex-Monaco man has already told his current employers that under no circumstances will he pursue the potential option of a contract extension until 2025. Mbappe and Al Hilal have yet to engage in direct talks regarding a possible move PSG’s acceptance is tied to Mbappé’s.
We detail the latest in the saga on Mbappe’s future.
Is the Saudi offer real?
Yes – Public Investment Fund-backed Al Hilal is keen to make Mbappé his most eye-catching signing yet and the Saudi giants were slated to be Lionel Messi’s club before the Argentinian legend opted for Inter Miami instead. Saudi Pro League clubs are spending huge amounts of money this summer, but given the magnitude of the potential transfer fee and the personal terms that may be on offer, that would be a whole new level. It’s a dream scenario for PSG, who risk losing him for nothing next summer, which they are keen not to allow.
Would that be a new record?
The current world transfer record is held by PSG when Neymar arrived for around $245m in 2017, followed by Mbappe just second as the total for his move from Monaco was just under $200m. Should the France international join Al Hilal on the numbers mentioned, it would mean a new – and likely unassailable – record deal, an accolade Mbappe might like. As he is already one of the highest paid athletes in the world, those salaries would take him to new heights yet again, but realizing the full value would require significant commercial deals.
Will Mbappe really join Al Hilal?
It’s too early to speculate whether Mbappe will actually join Saudi Arabia, but there’s no doubt that it’s an intriguing scenario. Suddenly, interest in Al Hilal not only puts pressure on Real to potentially act now to bring in the Frenchman, but also offers an alternative to potentially rotting on the sidelines in Paris next season without a new contract. No European club will be able to compete financially with the Saudi rich but confirmation that Mbappe is up for grabs could draw some serious bids from clubs with financial clout in competitions like the Premier League.
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What if Real Madrid moved?
It’s a possibility that shouldn’t be ruled out as Real knew a summer move for Mbappe could be on the horizon for around a month now. Although getting the France international on a free transfer was the preferred solution, significant funds have been committed to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu and these could be used. A loan deal shouldn’t be ruled out as this is how Mbappé ended up joining PSG from Monaco, but there is no doubt that Real would prefer to sign him with no fee so that his signing premium goes directly to the player.
So is it done with PSG?
Last year’s unexpected contract extension taught us never to say never on these things, but PSG and Mbappe seem unlikely to stay together much longer. The deterioration in their relationship this summer is nearing a terminal stage, and it’s already hard to imagine that it will be reversed. However, there is no guarantee that Mbappe will accept Al Hilal, nor that Real will make an offer to sign him now for a fee. Should those two things not happen, either an unexpected suitor will come up for discussion or PSG and Mbappe will be tied together for what will most likely be an awkward final season for both sides.