The Saudi Pro League has spent big this summer. Picking up some of Europe's biggest names and taking them to pastures news over in Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal have been active, but who are Al-Hilal transfer targets?
Most Saudi clubs have made some sort of impact in the window, but Al-Hilal is one of the latest to pick up a superstar. With Ruben Neves starting things off, Al-Hilal has most recently turned to Brazilian star man Neymar in hopes of bringing fame and fortune to the club. Al-Hilal also picked up Premier League striker Aleksander Mitrovic from Fulham, it's safe to say the club has already built a strong squad. Joining them are Malcom from Zenit, Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio, Koulibaly of Chelsea, and Bono from Savilla.
Al-Hilal ended the 2022/23 season in third place, and they'll be looking to push on a challenge for the title in the 2023/24 season. While the squad is already looking strong, Al-Hilal is not done yet, so let's take a look at Al-Hilal transfer targets as we head into the final days of the Saudi transfer window.
Kylian Mbappe – PSG
Another season, and link to Kylian Mbappé by every club. Let's be honest; he's probably going to stick around at PSG and go to Real Madrid on a free transfer. But, links to Saudi Arabia have been rampant ever since the league started spending big. With Al-Hilal now signing Neymar, it might spell the end for Mbappé joining the site. Though, that never seemed to stop them from trying to lure the Frenchman to the league.
Of all the high profile Al-Hilal transfer targets, Mbappé is clearly the main man. Al-Hilal sent a delegation to PSG earlier in the window, and despite an offer of £170m in fixed wages plus 100% of his image rights, Mbappé looks set to resist the move. Their bid to PSG was believed to be around £260m, a new record transfer, but it looks to be in vain. In fact, reports suggest that Mbappé refused to even meet with Al-Hila, with him having no interest in joining the big spending league.
It's safe to say the deal not happening is a blow to the league. Mbappé is very much one of the best players in the world of football, and he would be a game-changer for the league. However, it looks unlikely right now, but maybe we can see some shocking news as the window comes to a close.
Marco Verratti – PSG
Left out of the PSG squad for the Champions League, Verratti's time at the club is clearly over, but are Al-Hilal, the club to take him on. Linking up with Nevas and Savic, Verratti would form a deadly midfield in Al-Hilal, if they can make a deal happen before the Saudi Deadline Day on Thursday. However, with not long left, rumours also swirl that he might be off to Qatari side Al-Arabi.
There hasn't been much of an update since journalist Fabrizio Romano said a three-year deal was close. However, since then, we've not heard anything else. Right now, it looks like PSG and Al-Hilal might be closer to an agreement than the club and the player are. But, with his time at PSG all but over, he might look to cash in with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal has been actively looking at a number of PSG targets, though Verratti looks to be the most likely with so little time left. The key looks to be if Al-Hilal can convince him to make the switch, with the promise of a potential title and huge wages. But, Verratti remains the most likely of the Al-Hilal transfer targets as we approach the end of the window.
