In a shocking move that could potentially rewrite football transfer history, Saudi Arabian football club Al-Hilal has submitted a staggering €330 mn bid for French striker Kylian Mbappe.
The astronomical offer would make him the most expensive football player ever, surpassing the €236.5 mn Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) paid for Neymar when he transferred from Barcelona in 2017.
Following a recent disappointment in their pursuit of Lionel Messi, Al-Hilal is now eyeing one of the world's brightest football talents, Kylian Mbappe, to bolster their ranks. The bid was confirmed by PSG, who have given Al-Hilal the green light to initiate direct negotiations with the 2018 World Cup winner.
Mbappe's future at PSG has been the subject of speculation due to a contract standoff. The French forward chose not to activate a 12-month extension in his current deal, fueling rumors that he intends to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the upcoming season, with Real Madrid considered as the likely destination.
Al-Hilal's audacious bid marks a significant moment in the football world, as it demonstrates the club's determination to compete on the global stage and attract top-tier players. This ambitious move comes on the heels of their unsuccessful attempt to secure the signature of Lionel Messi, who opted to join Inter Miami earlier this year.
Critics, however, have not been silent in their disapproval of such high-profile bids, branding them as "sportswashing" tactics. The term refers to the practice of using major sporting events and investments in the sports industry to divert attention from negative aspects of a country's image or policies.
Critics argue that this move by Al-Hilal is an attempt by Saudi Arabia to enhance its international reputation, despite ongoing concerns about human rights issues and the country's involvement in the conflict in Yemen.
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