In the latest twist surrounding the future of French forward Kylian Mbappe, it appears that Saudi Arabia has joined the race to sign the Paris Saint-Germain star. The news was confirmed by Prince Abdullah Saad Abdulaziz Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, during an interview on Carre on YouTube.
Mbappe's contract with PSG is set to expire on June 30, making him a highly sought-after free agent. Real Madrid has been heavily linked with the talented striker, but it seems that Saudi Arabia also has a keen interest in acquiring his services.
The saga surrounding Mbappe's future began when he expressed his intention not to extend his contract with PSG. This prompted the club, owned by a Qatari group, to put him up for sale. Reports emerged suggesting that Al-Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, had made a staggering €300 million offer for the Frenchman, which would have shattered the world transfer record set by Neymar's move to PSG in 2017.
Despite the astronomical offer and a reported annual salary package of €200 million, Mbappe rejected the opportunity to move to the Middle East. This decision would have potentially seen him regain his position at the top of Forbes' list of the World's Highest-Paid Soccer Players, a title he held in 2022 after renewing his contract with PSG.
However, it seems that Saudi Arabia is not ready to let go of their desire to bring Mbappe to their Pro League. Prince Abdullah Saad Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed his admiration for the player, stating, 'Of course we like him. Kylian Mbappe is a good player, he is strong, and I hope to see him play in Saudi Arabia, in any team in our championship.' He further added that Saudi Arabia aims to become the leading nation in football and promised that more stars would soon arrive in their league.
These comments align with the sentiments expressed by Michael Emenalo, the director of the Saudi Pro League. In a recent interview with MARCA, Emenalo said, 'If there is a possibility or interest for Mbappe to be part of what we are building, today or in the future, we cannot reject this possibility. He is a player that I like.'
As the battle for Mbappe's signature intensifies, it appears that a three-way tussle between Real Madrid, PSG, and Saudi Arabia could unfold this summer. All these parties are vying to secure the services of the talented forward, who is widely considered a frontrunner for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
It remains to be seen which club or nation Mbappe will ultimately choose. Will he opt for the illustrious history of Real Madrid, the project at PSG, or will he be enticed by the ambitious plans of Saudi Arabia? Football enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the resolution of this captivating transfer saga.
