Al-Hilal to repeat Neymar trick with 'bombastic' €175m transfer

23 May 2024 17:00 BST
3 min read

The Saudi Arabian transfer revolution could be back in full swing this summer after reports that Al-Hilal are looking to kick off their spending with a blockbuster transfer that could cost as much as €175 million.

Saudi Pro League sides spent more than €700m on superstar players last summer such as Neymar, Ruben Neves and Fabinho as well as signing free agents like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.

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With the league continuing to grow in profile, there is expected to be interest in a host of global talent once agan this summer, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah among the top targets for Saudi clubs.

And Portuguese outlet O Jogo claim that Al-Hilal will make a move for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, with the player’s father already set to travel to Saudi Arabia for transfer talks.

Leao has been a long-term target for clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea but all interested sides have been put off by the 24-year-old’s release clause of €175m.

While Al-Hilal are not expected to activate Leao’s release clause, Milan are said to be bracing themselves for an offer that would exceed €100m, tempting the Serie A giants into a sale of their talismanic forward.

© IMAGO - Rafael Leao could become the next big star to move to Saudi Arabia.

Leao could be tempted to become marquee arrival in Saudi Pro League

A move for Leao would be unprecedented in a sense, with most previous signings by Saudi Pro League sides having been for players towards the end of the careers rather than younger superstars.

Consequently, Leao would be offered a salary that would provide a ‘bombastic effect’, with Al-Hilal hoping to reinforce their domestic dominance to try and qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup.

Leao could be tempted by a move to Al-Hilal due to the presence of Jorge Jesus, the manager who gave the Portuguese international his breakthrough at Sporting Lisbon.

The player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has already begun work on a transfer but it may not be resolved until after the upcoming European Championships, where Leao is expected to feature for Portugal.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have also previously been offered the player and Premier League sides may still have an interest but no-one is expected to compete with Al-Hilal to sign Leao if a transfer does accelerate.