Al-Hilal target Mbappe or Messi to replace injured Neymar

Robin Bairner

20 Oct 2023 16:49 BST
3 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are subject to transfer interest from Al-Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League club seeking a high-profile replacement for Neymar.

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Al-Hilal signed the Brazil international in a blockbuster €90 million deal from PSG during the summer transfer window, but he suffered a serious knee injury on international duty that will rule him out until the middle of 2024.

Mbappe and Messi, two of Neymar’s former PSG teammates, are being lined up as potential replacements for him, according to Saudi newspaper Alriyadh.

Citing sources close to the club, the report indicates that an unlikely bid to secure either of the superstars is being considered.

Al-Hilal target two ambitious Neymar replacements

Messi appears to be the player who is marginally more favoured, with the Inter Miami star having missed out on the MLS playoffs with his new club.

Al-Hilal previously targeted the Argentine in the summer when he was a free agent, but he moved to the MLS side for family reasons. It would be surprising if he were to perform a U-turn at this point after making a successful transition to the USA at David Beckham’s franchise.

However, the Saudi club are plotting a loan offer for Messi, potentially rivalling a similar bid from Barcelona.

Although he reportedly turned down a deal worth between €400-500m from Al-Hilal in the summer, the Alriyadh claims that the club has learned from this situation and will negotiate in a different way that will “guarantee” success.

© ProShots - Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar at PSG

Mbappe, meanwhile, is also a target. Out of contract with PSG next summer, the France international will be a free agent.

Al-Hilal also expressed an interest in the 24-year-old last summer but he simply ignored their offer, suggesting that he is not enamoured by the prospect of moving to the Saudi Pro League, despite the money on offer.

Furthermore, Neymar and Mbappe had a high-profile falling out while at PSG, suggesting that such a deal is no more than a dream for the Saudi club.

Mbappe, meanwhile, remains likelier to move to Real Madrid, with his position in Paris still locked in a stalemate.