In a surprising turn of events, Paris Saint Germain (PSG) forward Kylian Mbappe has reportedly declined a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, despite the club's willingness to pay a record-breaking transfer fee. The Saudi Arabian club's staggering $1.1 billion (£848k) offer has been the talk of the town for the past week, with PSG reportedly accepting the unprecedented £259 million transfer fee.
However, according to French publication L'Equipe, Mbappe has shown no interest in even initiating discussions with Al-Hilal. While PSG is ready to proceed with the negotiations, the star player seems to have ruled out a move to Al-Hilal in his immediate future. It is reported that Mbappe's representatives have declined invitations to meet with Al-Hilal's representatives.
Earlier this summer, Mbappe confirmed that he does not plan to extend his contract with PSG beyond 2025. Despite this, he expressed his willingness to stay and complete the final year of his current deal, indicating his desire to leave Parc des Princes in 2024 as a free agent. It is widely understood that Mbappe has his sights set on joining Real Madrid.
PSG, however, is not keen on losing their star player without a transfer fee. The acceptance of Al-Hilal's £259 million offer, which surpasses the record-breaking fee PSG paid for Neymar Jr. from FC Barcelona in 2017, is a clear indication of this stance.
Real Madrid has always been Mbappe's preferred destination, and a move in 2024 seems likely. However, with the substantial Saudi offer on the table, PSG may not be willing to significantly lower their asking price. The ball is now in Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's court, who must decide whether to splurge on a player who could potentially be available for free in a year's time.
Interestingly, Al-Hilal's offer reportedly includes a clause that allows Mbappe to leave for free in 2024, keeping the door open for a potential move to Real Madrid. In addition, the Saudi club is offering a lucrative package of £11.6 million-a-week in wages and commercial deals, tax-free.
Despite these potential benefits, Mbappe seems unconvinced that a move to Saudi Arabia aligns with his career goals. Meanwhile, Real Madrid remains unfazed by the ongoing transfer saga. The club's new signings, Joselu and Jude Bellingham, are settling in well, and the team seems content whether Mbappe arrives this summer or not.
While other clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and FC Barcelona have been linked with Mbappe, it appears that the French forward has his heart set on Madrid. As the transfer window continues, the football world will be watching closely to see where Mbappe lands.
