PSG star set for Saudi Arabia transfer after Barcelona flop makes €60m move

Suraj Radia

• 26 Jul 2023 19:58 BST
• 2 min read

Former Barcelona flop Malcom has become the latest player to make a big money transfer to Saudi Arabia after Al-Hilal confirmed the forward’s signing for €60 million.

The 26-year-old only spent one season with Barcelona in 2018, having joined from Bordeaux for €41m, but he made just 15 appearances in La Liga, scoring once, before moving to Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2019 for €40m.

Malcom scored a total of 15 times in his first three seasons with Zenit but enjoyed a prolific season last year, netting 23 goals in 27 domestic games, winning the golden boot and leading his side to a fifth straight league title.

DONE DEALS: All the transfers from Saudi Pro League sides this summer

The Brazilian’s form generated interest from Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal have now sealed a deal for Malcom on a three-year deal, having agreed a fee of €45m plus €15m in add-ons.

The Saudi side have also made an approach for Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti and are now closing in on a three-year contract for the Italian midfielder.

The 30-year-old has been at PSG since 2012 and still has three years remaining on his contract with the French side, however a deal is said to be advanced according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Al-Hilal look to make historic moves

Al-Hilal are the most decorated club in Asia but finished third in Saudi Pro League, having won the previous three league titles, prompting the giants to lead the way in the lucrative transfers in the country this summer.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves have already been brought in, while Al-Hilal are also hoping to make a spectacular €300m move for Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe is entering the final year of his contract at PSG and has told the club he will not renew, prompting the Ligue 1 side’s owners to insist he must be sold this summer.

TALKS: Al-Hilal hold negotiations with PSG over Mbappe transfer

The forward is expected to agree a deal with Real Madrid next summer but Al-Hilal have attempted to make Mbappe the most expensive player of all time with a contract offer of up to €700m for one year, before allowing him to leave for free.

However, Mbappe is thought to have no interest in a move and will look to remain at PSG despite the fury of their Qatari owners.