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Meet the billionaires behind Al-Hilal’s world record £259m bid for Mbappe

PSG have accepted a world record £259 million transfer fee from Al-Hilal for wantaway striker Kylian Mbappe.

The French giants are desperate for a sale this year to avoid Mbappe leaving Parc des Princes as a free agent next summer, and as such they have granted Al-Hilal permission to speak with the player.

However, the 24 year-old is said to be uninterested in a move to the Saudi Pro League and his preference is to hold out for Real Madrid in 2024.

Along with the transfer fee, the Saudi side have also reportedly offered Mbappe a jaw-dropping £604 million in wages for just a single season with the club.

So, who exactly are the owners behind the Al-Hilal mega-money offer and which players have they signed so far during the summer 2023 transfer window?

Here is everything you need to know.

Who owns Al-Hilal?
Al Hilal is under shared ownership, with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) the majority owner with a 75% share.

The remaining 25% is controlled by the Al Hilal Non-Profit Foundation.

The PIV is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, and with total estimated assets of around £320 billion, it is one of the largest in the world.

It was set up in 1971 to invest money on behalf of the government, and has been controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, since 2015.

The PIF is playing a crucial part in Saudi’s strategy, named Vision 2030, to diversify the nation’s economy away from its dependence on oil.

The sovereign wealth fund bought Newcastle United for £300 million in October 2021, acquiring an 80% stake in the Premier League side with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan installed as the club’s chairman.

As well as taking control of Al-Hilal in June, the PIF also took a 75% stake in three of the other biggest teams in the Kingdom as it attempts to turbo boost the profile of the league; Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr.

Al-Hilal are the most decorated team in Asia, with 66 official honours to their name, including a record eight AFC Champions League titles.

Which players have Al-Hilal signed so far?
Ruben Neves ended his six-year stay at Wolves with a £47 million move to the club in June.

Aged just 26, the Portuguese midfielder’s transfer represented the first time that a player deemed to be in his prime has moved to the Saudi Pro League.

Neves is joined at Al-Hilal by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who swapped Champions League football with Lazio to move to the Middle East in a £34 million deal.

The hugely talented midfielder, 28, had been regularly linked with some of the biggest names in European football over the past few seasons.

Kalidou Koulibaly also now plys his trade in Riyadh following his £17 million move from Chelsea, where he spent a sole season having only signed from Napoli last year.

The squad also contains former West Brom player Matheus Pereira and ex-Porto striker Moussa Marega, although the duo are not currently registered to play.

Former Benfica and Sporting winger Andre Carrillo has been with Al-Hilal since 2018.

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Transfers

PSG Ready To Hand Bukayo Saka Injury Solution To Arsenal With Transfer Proposal

Bukayo Saka Update Emerges After He Went Off Injured Against Crystal Palace On Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain are likely to offer Arsenal the chance to sign out-of-favour forward Randal Kolo Muani.

Arsenal have been hit with the news that star man Bukayo Saka will be ruled out for ‘many weeks’ with a hamstring tear and are weighing up whether to find a solution to his absence in the January transfer window. Saka, 23, has played the fourth-highest amount of minutes among Arsenal’s outfielders this season and the Gunners don’t have a natural right winger to replace him with.

His injury has given Mikel Arteta a dilemma as the winter window nears but PSG could have the answer to his problem in the shape of Randal Kolo Muani. The 26-year-old was signed for £64.2m in the summer of 2023, having shone for Eintracht Frankfurt, when he attracted interest from Manchester United. Kolo Muani was expected to play a larger role under Luis Enrique following the departure of Kylian Mbappe, but he’s only started two matches in Ligue 1 this season and played just 28 minutes of football in the last month.

The France international has now been made available on loan, despite being under contract until 2028, and the Evening Standard report that the French champions will offer him to a number of clubs in January, including Arsenal.

Saka’s absence has been compounded by an injury Raheem Sterling, who would’ve been in contention to replace him in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day. Asked about the prospect of signing a replacement for Saka next month, Arteta insisted that his focus is on players who are already at the club.

“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we’ll have to consider it.”

The France international has now been made available on loan, despite being under contract until 2028, and the Evening Standard report that the French champions will offer him to a number of clubs in January, including Arsenal.

Saka’s absence has been compounded by an injury Raheem Sterling, who would’ve been in contention to replace him in the Gunners’ starting line-up against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day. Asked about the prospect of signing a replacement for Saka next month, Arteta insisted that his focus is on players who are already at the club.

“My focus honestly now is just about within the squad the resources we have to be as competitive as we possibly can,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have many, many options to do that. And if something unbelievable [becomes] available and if the club is willing to do it, we’ll have to consider it.”

“Obviously we didn’t predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem at the same time. We predicted more it would be something else, for example if something happened in the defensive line, but the job is done.

“Then, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus is now, how will we extract still a lot of potential that there is in this squad.”

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Transfers

After Alex Iwobi, Nigerian Forward Wanted By Girona Spread Christmas Joy With Acts Of Kindness

After Alex Iwobi, Nigerian Forward Wanted By Girona Spread Christmas Joy With Acts Of Kindness

Arokodare, alongside his Genk teammate Noah Adedeji, participated in an initiative with Vincentius, a local charity in Genk, to distribute food parcels to families in need during the festive period.

The Nigerian forward, who has netted 11 goals for Genk this season, played an active role in packaging fresh meals for the Christmas holidays.

Sint-Vincentius Genk Zutendaal, which distributes an impressive 20 tonnes of food monthly and even more during the holidays, welcomed the players’ helping hands.

Reflecting on his faith and motivations, Arokodare said:

“Praying relaxes me, inspires me, gives me confidence and a feeling of protection. I pray in the morning, evening, and before every match, asking for protection for all the players and fans of both teams.”

The gesture was part of Genk’s broader Christmas celebrations and provided a heartwarming connection between the players and their community.

Families who benefitted from the initiative expressed their gratitude, while the event brought smiles to many faces, both young and old.

Girona’s Interest in Arokodare
Arokodare’s on-field success has not gone unnoticed.

Reports indicate that Spanish club Girona are keen on signing the 24-year-old, with Genk valuing him at around €7 million.

The striker, also on the radar of Turkish giants Galatasaray, has proven to be a dominant force in Belgium and is now attracting interest from across Europe.

Alex Iwobi Joins Festive Charity Efforts
Arokodare is not the only Nigerian footballer spreading holiday cheer.

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened a London-based shop, “AleXpress,” where families in need can collect free food for Christmas dinner.

“We want to create a place where families can get what they need,” said Iwobi.

“If I can help them have a peaceful Christmas, why not do it? I grew up watching my parents help others, and their example inspired me.”

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Transfers

17-Year-Old Nigeria-Eligible Defender Pens Professional Deal With Chelsea

17-Year-Old Nigeria-Eligible Defender Pens Professional Deal With Chelsea

The Eastbourne-born England defender recently turned 17 five days ago, and was given a professional contract by the Blues as a birthday present after joining from the Brighton and Hove Albion U-12 team a few years back.

Tayo started his career as a midfielder, but moved back to play central defence as he matured and has been a standout performer for the Chelsea U-18 squad, specifically known for his ability to command his teammates and play out from back with excellence.

Subuloye has represented England at the U-18 level, making his debut in October 2024, but is eligible to represent Nigeria. However, if he’ll be open to representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria is currently unknown at the moment.

“His performances this season have earned him recognition, and he is expected to play a significant role in Chelsea’s future defensive plans. Keep an eye on this rising star.

He is a talented footballer who is comfortable playing in various positions and adapts well to any intense situation,” Chelsea’s official website read after Subuloye penned his new deal.

The lanky defender was heavily involved in Chelsea’s U-16 Premier League campaign, captaining the side to the national final. He was also an important member of the U-17 side that won the League Cup before getting an invitation to the club’s U-18 side.

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