Al-Hilal

Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal is in advanced negotiations to sign Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli for a fee between £50-60 million. The 23-year-old Brazilian, who has one year left on his contract, has been told he is not in Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's plans and was omitted from recent matchday squads. Martinelli previously rejected a €45m offer from Galatasaray but is now open to moving to Saudi Arabia. Talks are ongoing, with personal terms still to be finalized.

22 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 31, 01:49 AM UTC

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is on the verge of a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, with reports indicating a final agreement after Villa rejected multiple bids, including a £45 million offer. Watkins, who missed a match and apologized to teammates, has agreed to personal terms and a tax-free $15 million annual salary. Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is personally funding the deal. Villa is seeking replacements, including Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, as the move nears completion.

11 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 30, 04:44 PM UTC

Portuguese full-back João Cancelo is set to rejoin FC Barcelona as a free agent after terminating his contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal. Cancelo agreed to forgo part of his remaining salary to facilitate the move, which was confirmed by multiple journalists and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He will sign a two-year contract, marking his first permanent stint at Barcelona after previous loan spells. Cancelo expressed happiness and relief upon arrival, citing his admiration for Barcelona’s style and his willingness to make financial sacrifices for the transfer.

12 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 21, 01:55 AM UTC

Portuguese full-back João Cancelo is at the center of a transfer dispute between Saudi club Al-Hilal and FC Barcelona. After a €10 million fee was reportedly agreed, tax issues and Cancelo’s absence from Al-Hilal’s pre-season camp in Austria have caused tensions. Al-Hilal considered disciplinary action, but later denied a boycott, stating the absence was mutually agreed. Cancelo remains in Portugal training individually, awaiting a permanent move to Barcelona, where he is a priority for coach Hansi Flick.

12 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 10, 12:23 PM UTC

Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal have opened negotiations to sign Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, with a reported £64 million fee under discussion. Talks are in early stages, but a dispute over the transfer fee persists, and no formal offer has been made. Ndiaye’s father publicly denied his son’s intention to leave Everton, stating he prioritizes European football and sporting ambitions. The deal’s completion depends on Everton’s financial needs and Ndiaye’s personal stance.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 30, 05:23 PM UTC

Karim Benzema, the 38-year-old Ballon d'Or winner who joined Al-Hilal in February, played a friendly match against MC Alger on Wednesday evening, which Al-Hilal lost 0-2. Despite the defeat, Benzema appeared cheerful after the game. He agreed to exchange jerseys with Chareddine Boukholda, a 30-year-old Franco-Algerian midfielder for MC Alger who previously trained at Monaco and played for Lille's reserve team. Boukholda was surprised by the request, and the exchange continued in the locker room. Benzema, who has faced physical setbacks this season and played only 10 of 16 league matches, is under contract with Al-Hilal until June 2027.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 07:44 AM UTC

Portuguese full-back João Cancelo, 32, is set to permanently join FC Barcelona from Saudi club Al-Hilal for around €10 million, following a loan spell. Despite Al-Hilal initially summoning him for pre-season, reports confirm a deal for a six-month loan then two-year contract. Cancelo criticized Portugal’s 1-1 World Cup draw with DR Congo, while Barcelona manager Hansi Flick pushed for the transfer. Agent Jorge Mendes facilitated talks, ending uncertainty over Cancelo’s club future.

11 reports · 4 sources · Updated Jul 29, 09:38 PM UTC

According to Foot Mercato, citing L'Equipe, Saudi club Al-Hilal has made a €70 million offer to Bayern Munich for Colombian winger Luis Diaz. Diaz joined Bayern a year ago from Liverpool and has been highly successful, scoring 25 goals and providing 19 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions, forming a strong attacking trio with Michael Olise and Harry Kane. Bayern Munich is reportedly very pleased with Diaz and considers the offer insufficient, as the club is not looking to sell the player at that price. The report indicates Bayern's stance is firm, rejecting the bid.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 09:34 AM UTC

According to renowned Paris Saint-Germain journalist Marc Mechenoua, PSG and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé have arranged a meeting after the player returns from vacation to finalize a contract extension. Negotiations between Dembélé, his agent team, and PSG management have made significant progress, with a basic agreement on the framework already reached. Dembélé's current contract runs until 2028. The club is simultaneously handling multiple transfer window matters: the signing of Lucas Digne has been completed, negotiations for Maghnes Akliouche are ongoing, and departures include Gonçalo Ramos to AC Milan, Lee Kang-in to Atlético Madrid, with Renato Sanches and Kolo Muani also expected to leave. Despite reported interest from Al Hilal, the clear trend is that Dembélé will continue in Paris. PSG tends to announce contract renewals collectively, as seen with Achraf, Vitinha, and Nuno Mendes, suggesting a potential grand announcement at the start of the new season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 03:15 PM UTC

According to Saudi Sports Channel, Al-Hilal's French striker Karim Benzema has refused a transfer to a newly promoted Saudi Professional League team during the summer window. He insists on receiving his full salary for the final year of his contract and wants to freely choose his next destination without club interference. Since joining Al-Hilal, Benzema has scored 9 goals and provided 5 assists in 13 appearances but faced fan criticism over the team's poor offensive performance. Meanwhile, Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez is set to leave Al-Hilal on a one-year loan to the Portuguese league, also attracting MLS interest. He made 24 appearances, scoring 9 goals and 5 assists before being excluded from the domestic roster. In recruitment news, Portuguese winger Pedro Neto, currently at Chelsea, is a backup target for Al-Hilal to strengthen the right wing. Neto, 26, can play both wings and made 52 appearances for Chelsea last season, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 12:25 AM UTC

According to Foot Mercato, Polish international goalkeeper Marcin Bulka is very close to signing with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Discussions have accelerated significantly in recent hours, and the 26-year-old former Chelsea trainee, who had successful stints at OGC Nice and NEOM, appears on the verge of joining the Saudi club. The various parties are moving in the right direction, and an agreement seems increasingly likely if final details are resolved in the coming days. Al-Hilal continues its ambitious recruitment to strengthen a squad already rich in international stars. Barring a turnaround, Bulka will continue his career in the Saudi Pro League.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 10:45 AM UTC

Belgian independent journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Saudi club Al Hilal is aggressively pursuing Liverpool winger Luis Díaz in the summer transfer market. The club is prepared to offer the Colombian star an annual salary of approximately €25 million after tax to convince him and his representatives. Al Hilal has a total transfer budget of $350 million this summer and is ready to make a bid between $120 million and $150 million to sign Díaz. Notably, the Saudi club is not currently in contact with Bayern Munich; they will only open negotiations with the club once an agreement is reached with the player himself. Richard Hughes is leading the negotiations for Al Hilal. The report indicates that if the offer is substantial, Bayern might consider selling, though no formal talks have begun.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 10:44 PM UTC

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Al Hilal forward and Uruguayan international Nunez is close to reaching an agreement with Turkish Super League giants Besiktas for a loan transfer. The deal would see Nunez play on loan until the end of the current season. The report was published by Hupu Soccer on July 25, citing a source on X (formerly Twitter). The transfer would reunite Nunez with a former teammate in the Turkish league, as noted in a user reply. The article is brief but provides key details on the potential move.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 08:38 AM UTC

Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, 24, has been sold by relegated Premier League club West Ham United to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for a deal worth £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons (totaling over €70 million). Despite earlier bids from AS Roma (up to €47 million) and interest from Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, Al-Hilal secured the transfer. Summerville, who impressed at the 2026 World Cup, will undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract.

29 reports · 11 sources · Updated Jul 25, 08:33 AM UTC

Mamelodi Sundowns, coached by Miguel Cardoso, lost a pre-season friendly match against Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. The South African team still has one more preparation game scheduled against Alger. The article, published by Portuguese sports newspaper Record on July 24, 2026, also includes other football transfer news such as Summerville's move to Al Hilal for up to 70 million euros and Nice's new club rules.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 09:01 PM UTC

Crysencio Summerville, a football player previously expected to join Italian club AS Roma, has instead signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The decision was driven by a highly lucrative financial package offered by the Saudi club, which proved too attractive for the player to refuse. The transfer highlights the growing influence of Saudi Arabian football clubs in the global transfer market, as they continue to attract talent with substantial financial offers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 07:53 PM UTC

Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, 24, is a top transfer target for Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and PSG after strong 2026 World Cup performances for the Netherlands. West Ham, relegated from the Premier League, values him at £50 million. United’s interest depends on Marcus Rashford’s future. Summerville missed a penalty in the Netherlands’ shock round-of-32 exit to Morocco, potentially accelerating a deal.

26 reports · 7 sources · Updated Jul 24, 07:16 PM UTC

According to reporter Ben Jacobs, Saudi club Al Hilal is in negotiations with Karim Benzema regarding his role for the upcoming Saudi League season. Benzema insists on playing a significant role in the team and will not accept a proposal, reported by some Saudi media, that would limit his registration to only the AFC Champions League. Al Hilal is also actively monitoring the striker market for potential reinforcements. The negotiations highlight Benzema's desire for a central role at the club.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 05:32 PM UTC

According to Diario Sport, Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez is actively pushing to leave Saudi club Al-Hilal this summer. Nunez, who joined Al-Hilal for €55 million last year after an inconsistent spell at Liverpool, does not want to remain as a substitute behind Karim Benzema. His agent Jorge Mendes is exploring options to bring him back to a top European league, with Nunez's dream being to join Barcelona. The player has offered himself to Barcelona and is awaiting developments, though Barcelona is currently prioritizing a move for Julian Alvarez. Nunez is willing to forgo part of his lucrative Saudi salary to facilitate a move, ideally via a loan similar to Barcelona's deal for Joao Cancelo. Al-Hilal wants to recoup its initial investment, complicating a smooth termination. Nunez and Barcelona had a missed opportunity in 2020 when Benfica outbid Barcelona for his transfer from Almeria.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 07:07 AM UTC

Manchester United continue their summer midfield rebuild under Michael Carrick, having already signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. The club faces a potential setback in their pursuit of Roma's Manu Kone, as Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli have reportedly contacted Roma with 'concrete interest' in the 25-year-old France international. Kone, who impressed at the World Cup, is said to favour a Premier League move but is not ruling out a switch to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, United are in 'pole position' alongside Arsenal to sign Bournemouth's Alex Scott, 22. Scott's representatives have held talks with both clubs, and the player is expected to make a final decision within two weeks. Scott reportedly favours Arsenal but has concerns about playing time, which could benefit United. The club is wary of missing out on targets after Al-Hilal agreed a deal for West Ham's Crysencio Summerville, a player United had monitored.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 03:30 AM UTC

According to Mundo Deportivo via Hupu, Brazilian winger Raphinha has rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal, prioritizing his place in Hansi Flick's plans at Barcelona. Al-Hilal subsequently pivoted to sign Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United for £55 million plus £10 million in add-ons, beating Roma to the deal. Raphinha, who endured an injury-hit season, believes he still has a future at Barcelona and wants to continue under Flick. His contract runs until June 2028, and Barcelona's management never sought to force his departure. Although Barcelona has strengthened its winger options with Anthony Gordon and is close to signing Karim Adeyemi and Bissouma, the club's priority was to retain Raphinha unless he requested a transfer. Summerville's move has removed the biggest uncertainty around Raphinha's future, temporarily ending one of the summer's largest potential transfer sagas.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 12:30 AM UTC

According to Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona has identified Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez as a backup target for their forward line. Nunez, currently under contract with Saudi club Al Hilal, believes he can serve as a 'low-cost' alternative due to his potentially affordable transfer fee. The player has expressed willingness and desire to join Barcelona. Nunez's situation at Al Hilal is precarious; he has been excluded from the Saudi league roster since January due to foreign player quota restrictions, making room for Karim Benzema, and has not played an official match since February 16. Barcelona's primary target, Julian Alvarez, remains complicated after Atletico Madrid refused to let him go. Additionally, Ferran Torres' future at Barcelona is uncertain with Paris Saint-Germain showing interest. Nunez has joined Al Hilal's preseason training in Austria but awaits clarity on his future, whether in Saudi Arabia or Europe.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:06 PM UTC

Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal has made initial contact with the agent of French winger Ousmane Dembélé to assess his interest in a potential transfer this summer, according to Belgian independent journalist Sacha Tavolieri. The Riyadh-based club, which is also pursuing Crysencio Summerville, considers Dembélé a top target to strengthen its attacking options. Dembélé, a Ballon d'Or winner, is currently in contract extension talks with Paris Saint-Germain, where his contract runs until June 2028. Al Hilal's management contacted the player's agent before any direct negotiations with PSG. If Dembélé shows interest, Al Hilal will formally begin talks with PSG to agree on transfer terms. No direct contact between the two clubs has occurred yet.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 07:31 PM UTC

Bruno Fernandes' contract extension negotiations with Manchester United have stalled despite his outstanding performance and influence at Old Trafford. The Portuguese midfielder, who broke the Premier League single-season assists record with 21 last season and surpassed 100 goals for the club, remains a key player under manager Michael Carrick. His current contract runs until 2027, but no agreement has been reached on a new deal. Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari reports that the latest contact between the two parties failed to produce a positive outcome, and several other clubs have contacted Fernandes' agent. Galatasaray has shown interest, while Al-Hilal nearly signed him last year. United may listen to major offers, though Fernandes has expressed desire to achieve more with the club. The next round of talks could prove decisive.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 07:34 PM UTC

Manchester United may be prepared to sell captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, with Turkish club Galatasaray emerging as a potential suitor. According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, United would negotiate offers around €70-75 million and would accept slightly less than €75 million. The club would not entertain offers below roughly €40 million, while a package worth €55-57 million plus bonuses could be discussed. Fernandes, 31, broke the Premier League single-season assist record with 21 assists last season and reached over 100 goals for Manchester United. Galatasaray have long admired Fernandes and identified him as their dream signing for the number 10 position. However, discussions remain at an early stage, and it is unclear whether Galatasaray can finance such a deal. The report represents a shift after Champions League qualification had previously strengthened United's position in keeping their captain.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:55 PM UTC

Jorge Jesus, the 71-year-old former Benfica and Al-Hilal manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Portugal national team, replacing Roberto Martinez after Portugal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup by Spain (0-1). In his first public statements, Jesus addressed the status of 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, stating he will never be a problem and that age is not a factor in his evaluations. Jesus announced that his first squad for the Nations League match against Wales on September 24 will closely resemble the 2026 World Cup squad, with only two or three new players. He emphasized the need for the team to play better than at the World Cup, noting that despite having great players, Portugal has not won much recently, with their last major trophy being Euro 2016. His main objective is building a team capable of competing for the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal co-hosts with Spain and Morocco.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:59 PM UTC

Newly appointed Portugal national team head coach Jorge Jesus gave an extensive interview to Canal 11, discussing his coaching philosophy and vision. He stated that Portugal is 'the Brazil of Europe' due to its abundance of individually talented players, while noting Brazil's failure to win the World Cup in over two decades despite having great players. Jesus explained his approach to integrating former internationals into his coaching staff, his views on tactical innovations like five substitutions and World Cup timeouts, and his belief that football is constantly evolving. He also revealed he was close to coaching the Brazil national team before taking the Portugal job, which he called 'the cherry on the cake.' Jesus emphasized his commitment to selecting the best players for the team regardless of personal issues, and noted that his experience coaching Portuguese giants gives him an advantage in understanding his players.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:30 AM UTC

New Portugal national team head coach Jorge Jesus gave an interview to Canal 11, addressing his coaching philosophy and plans. He stated that the September squad will not see major changes, with only two or three new faces, due to limited time and player pool. Jesus emphasized that he does not consider player reputation when selecting the team; instead, he prioritizes current form and 100% fitness. He acknowledged that some players have different status due to history but insisted rules are equal for all. Jesus also discussed his close ties to Portuguese clubs, including lower-division Amora FC, and his ongoing communication with club coaches like Roberto Martínez. He expressed confidence in his ability but noted that an abundance of high-quality players can create doubts. The interview covered his experience, standards, and concerns about getting the team to perform at its expected level.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 01:00 AM UTC

Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on July 20 that Saudi club Al-Hilal is not currently conducting specific, active, or realistic negotiations to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, despite recent rumors. Romano clarified that Al-Hilal has other priority targets and that while Bastoni shares a good relationship with head coach Simone Inzaghi from their time at Inter, this has not led to any transfer talks. At this stage, no negotiations exist between the two parties, effectively dismissing speculation about a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:00 AM UTC

In an interview with Canal 11, new Portugal national team coach Jorge Jesus revealed he came very close to taking over the Brazilian national team. He stated he had received instructions to prepare a preliminary squad for a March match after Brazil's 4-1 loss to Argentina, but the deal fell through. Jesus, who previously coached Flamengo, considers his current role with Portugal the 'cherry on top of the cake.' He discussed his coaching philosophy, noting that while he largely agreed with Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad selections, he would have made some changes, particularly highlighting Flamengo striker Pedro as the best in Brazilian football. Jesus also addressed his approach to player relationships, emphasizing that team interests come first, and reflected on how he has become more tolerant with age.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 08:59 PM UTC