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Al-Hilal try to splash transfer cash before Club World Cup, but struggle to land stars as tournament nears
Al-Hilal try to splash transfer cash before Club World Cup, but struggle to land stars as tournament nears
Is it possible to jam a side that is able to go to toe with the best Europe has to offer in the small window between the end of the domestic competition seasons and the start of the World Cup club? Al-Hilal has tried to find out exactly that in recent weeks. The answer so far: no, not really.
The World Cup Club is perhaps exciting that the accountants at top clubs and little else in Europe, but in Saudi Arabia the competition has long assumed. Pif decision makers, the sovereign Wealth Fund, which owns four of the leading clubs of the Pro League, consider Global Football as a way to establish Saudi soft power around the world. What is therefore more effective than disturbing a Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City and making a deep run in what could be the biggest football tournament that is open to Asian clubs?
That was the logic that Al-Entihad had set up with Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, but not entirely Mohamed Salah when Saudi Arabia organized the competition in 2023. Such an ambition has only grown for Al-Hilal, not only the most successful club in Asia, but viewed by some as the golden boy of Pif. Real Madrid, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg are in front of them next week, there would have been ambitious investments prior to the first closure of the transfer window – implemented by FIFA to help those who play World Cup – at 2 p.m. Et on Tuesday.
According to CBS sports sources, the priority of Al-Hilal was to strengthen their way on four fronts: Spits, Central Midfield, left behind and a head coach to lead them. From Monday it would be a success if three of them were to be tackled with the Riyadh side that would only secure their first choice in one place in one place. Simone Inzaghi has arrived as the most expensive coach in the world, but the tent additions on the field still have to follow.
It is with striker that the most dramatic decisions have been made. Initially there had been hope within PIF That, as part of the negotiations to expand his contract, Cristiano Ronaldo could be convinced to join Al-Hilal for the Club World Cup. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also pushed the idea that Ronaldo moved before the tournament Talk to Saudi government officials Saw the Portuguese Voorwaart skepticism about a temporary movement of the rivals of Al-Nassr, instead insisting that his team is being strengthened.
Victor Osimhen is the following on the wish list of Al-Hilal and CBS Sports understand that the four times Asian champions have refused to admit the defeat in their pursuit of the Nigeria striker, who could get an increase in the annual salary of $ 35 million that was initially presented to him. Sources say that if Al-Hilal has to leave their pursuit of Osimhen, then Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig is the next on their list. Whether he would be tempted to move to the Pro League at the start of his career is not clear, but Al-Hilal has the finances to match the requirements of RB Leipzig and to pay Sesko cleverly.
At least a left power seems to be on the horizon. Al-Hilal is in line with a movement for Roma’s Angelino, according to sources, but he was a relapse option with Theo Hernandez the favorite option. However, they have difficulty winning the AC Milan star, which is supposed to have doubts about what a move to the Saudi -Pro League could mean for his attempts to secure a place in the World Cup of the following summer. They have also seen an range of $ 34.3 million for Nuno Tavares that was rejected by Lazio. Angelino excelled last season in Serie A and the 28-year-old will receive a considerable prize, only almost $ 32 million in transfer fee.
There have been similar difficulties in midfield, where Bruno Fernandes NO said no to a wage package that would have been worth nearly $ 90 million a year. Atalanta’s Edelson is admired, but Tony d’Amico, sports director at the Italian club, confirmed on Saturday that no offer had been received from Al-Hilal.
It may be worth noting that even if the side of Inzaghi allows in the window, this is not a team without quality. In a strange series of results in January and February, Al-Eittihad may have the title claiming, but Al-Hilal has players who would even improve the best games at the World Cup club. Ruben Neves and Malcom Leiden a talented contingent of Portuguese speakers, Aleksandar Mitrovic scores goals for fun as he is in the championship and Marcos Leonardo speaks to the other priority in Saudi recruitment, making some of the best young talents in the worldwide game. In the meantime, Salem Al-Dawsari is perhaps the most talented Saudi Arab in the competition.
That can be enough to make the tournament anyway. By -optAl-Hilal is one of only three non-European teams with a chance of more than 50 percent to get it out of their group. Finish in second place and it can be Manchester City who waits in the round of 16, a competition that can be subtly described as ripe with geopolitics. There may be nothing that Al-Hilal could do in the transfer window that would make them a little less than huge underdogs against City; They would also not be imagined much against Juventus. Still, if the proof of the last two years is something to continue, there is little that can prevent Al-Hilal trying to trick the best and smartest. It will soon become clear how successful they have done that.
Al-Hilal Club World Cup schedule (Group H)
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