25 July 2023 , 08:27
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Paris Saint-Germain have accepted a €300million (£259m) bid from Al-Hilal for Kylian Mbappe... but, could he end up at Newcastle?
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) - Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund - are the majority shareholders of Al-Hilal and Newcastle, sparking rumours of an eventual switch to the Premier League for Mbappe. After Cristiano Ronaldo joined fellow PIF-owned club Al-Nassr in January, reports of a potential loan deal to Newcastle emerged.
While this rumour was eventually quashed by Magpies boss Eddie Howe, it has still left some fans wondering if an arrangement can be agreed between Mbappe and Newcastle later down the line. Yet that seems very unlikely at this moment in time.
A lot would need to happen for the 24-year-old to become a Newcastle player, starting with him accepting a move to Saudi Arabia. And if his previous comments are anything to go by, the 2018 World Cup winner has little interest in moving to 'cold' Newcastle.
On a plane journey ahead of that tournament, Mbappe's France team-mate Antoine Griezmann showed off his impressive Newcastle save on Football Manager. "Let me show you my record for 2027," Griezmann said in the viral video.
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"With Newcastle, Premier League champions, FA Cup, Champions League, Community Shield and Super Cup! Five titles. What a coach! What a coach! I am a legend of coaches in English football. Ousmane [Dembele], tell them!"
Dembele described the Football Manager save as "not bad" before Griezmann turned to Mbappe and said: "I signed you with Newcastle, I paid €134m for you." Mbappe replied: "Where? Newcastle? It's not hot over there, huh?"
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Yet it's very warm in Riyadh, where Al-Hilal play. The Saudis have offered Mbappe an annual wage of €700m (£603m), which would make him the best-paid footballer on the planet. Al-Hilal are even willing to give him a free transfer in a year's time.
Mbappe's current deal with PSG expires next summer, with Real Madrid hoping to sign him. PSG want to sell their prized asset this summer to ensure he doesn't leave on a free transfer in a year's time. That is why they have accepted Al-Hilal's offer.
Although Al-Hilal's plan would still allow Mbappe to complete a dream move to Real Madrid next summer, it's believed Mbappe has little interest in accepting a short-term pay day in Saudi Arabia. That's according to French newspaper L'Equipe.
Mbappe would need to join Al-Hilal on a long-term deal - or have a long-term arrangement with PIF - to have any chance of returning to Europe with Newcastle. The chances of that happening are very slim, but he could still complete a move to the Premier League.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all interested in signing Mbappe, with Barcelona and Inter Milan also monitoring his situation very closely. PSG will push for a sale this summer, while Mbappe will try to remain part of their squad.