French forward Kylian Mbappe is likely to turn down a one-year contract offer with a salary of $775 million from the Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
According to Relevo, a newspaper based in Madrid, Spain, Mbappe has no intention of joining Al Hilal. The 24-year-old striker is determined to see out the final year of his contract with PSG and then move to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Earlier on July 24th, Al Hilal had made a record-breaking bid of $330 million for the Mbappe transfer fee. The Saudi Arabian club was also ready to offer the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner a salary of $775 million and the freedom to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. The current world transfer record is held by PSG’s purchase of Neymar from Barcelona in 2017, for which they paid $263 million to acquire the Brazilian forward.
Following news of Al Hilal’s offer, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo jokingly wrote on Twitter: “Al Hilal, you can buy me. I look like Mbappe.”
In response, Al Hilal said: “Welcome to us as a fan, Giannis.” To this, Mbappe quoted Giannis’ tweet with a series of laughing emojis.
However, is Mbappe leaving PSG? Mbappe has only one year left on his contract with PSG. His refusal to extend until 2025, contrary to the initial plans of both parties, has become a cause of concern for PSG. If not sold this summer, they will lose their French captain from July 2024.
After not receiving an explanation after accepting Mbappe transfer demands, PSG decided to put him up for sale on July 22nd. They also exerted pressure by excluding him from the squad for their pre-season tour to Japan. In response, Mbappe is reportedly willing to accept being on the bench for the entire 2023-2024 season.
Al Hilal is one of the biggest spenders in Saudi Arabia this summer. The team, which finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, spent $160 million to acquire center-back Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea, midfielder Ruben Neves from Wolves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. They had previously offered Lionel Messi a salary of $400 million per year but were rejected.
Besides Al Hilal, Sky Sport reports that five other clubs, namely Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, have also expressed interest in signing Mbappe.
Mbappe currently holds the record for scoring 212 goals in 260 appearances for PSG. He is also one of the PSG most expensive signings in history. With the French national team, the 24-year-old forward ranks fifth in the all-time goal scorers’ list with 40 goals, behind leader Olivier Giroud by 14 goals. He has won six Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups, two French League Cups, two French Super Cups, the 2018 World Cup, and the 2021 Nations League.
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