Transfer Roundup: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal Submits World-Record Bid for Kylian Mbappe

In what is arguably the biggest transfer saga of the last decade, Kylian Mbappé finds himself at the center of this summer’s transfer rumors. But while a Paris Saint-Germain exit looks to be in the cards, the destination is keeping everyone in suspense. 

Meanwhile, several Premier League clubs are committing to a reboot while Man City and Manchester United sit back and methodically approach a small list of top targets.

Here’s the latest news during the summer transfer window. 

Latest Rumors and Done Deals

The Kylian Mbappé drama has seen a new twist with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal offering the superstar a one-year escape from PSG. After PSG left Mbappé out of its preseason tour of Japan, Al-Hilal reportedly submitted a £259 million ($332 million) bid for the forward, a fee that would potentially shatter the world-record transfer fee. The 24-year-old is also fielding interest from Tottenham and Chelsea. (Sky Sports)

If accepted, Al-Hilal’s $332 million bid for Mbappé would set the all-time record for a transfer fee.

IMAGO/PanoramiC

Chelsea saw a £70 million bid for Brighton midfielder Moisés Caicedo rejected. Brighton is said to be planning to keep the 21-year-old this season as it ventures into the Europa League after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. (BBC)

Wilfried Zaha’s decade in the Premier League seems to have reached its end with a move to Galatasaray imminent. The 30-year-old winger is in the Turkish capital putting the final touches on a three-year deal on a free transfer after turning down a new contract with Crystal Palace. (Sky Sports)

Manchester City appears to have landed its top transfer target this summer, reaching an agreement with RB Leipzig for Joško Gvardiol. The 21-year-old center half has reportedly completed the first part of his medical as he inches toward a move to the treble winners. The Croatian was valued at more than €100 million, but details of a transfer fee have yet to be released. (The Guardian)

Manchester United is pushing forward with a bid for Atalanta striker Rasmus Højland. The 20-year-old Danish international is also a target of PSG and is expected to fetch more than $70 million in transfer fees. He has reportedly already agreed to personal terms with United, which is his preferred destination. (Fabrizio Romano)

Ahead of a long-anticipated return to Champions League soccer, Newcastle’s shopping spree continues with a move for Leicester City midfielder Harvey Barnes. The 25-year-old joins on a five-year deal with the Magpies shelling out £38 million. Last season, Barnes scored 13 league goals for Leicester City, which was relegated at the end of the year. 

Borussia Dortmund has reportedly agreed to a €19 million move for Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrian international spent the second half of last season on loan at Manchester United, which then turned down an option to make the move permanent. (Sky Sport Austria)

Fulham has agreed to a move for Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez worth £5.5 million. The Mexican international has scored 40 Premier League goals in five seasons with Wolves, but has been hampered by a serious head injury sustained in November 2020. (The Guardian)

Fulham’s move for Jiménez seemingly frees up Aleksandar Mitrović for a move to Al-Hilal. The Serbian international had reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Saudi side, but Fulham rejected a €40 million offer this month. The striker recorded 14 goals in 24 Premier League games last season. (The Guardian)

Marseille has agreed to a move for Watford’s Ismaïla Sarr for what is rumored to a be a £15 million transfer fee. The winger starred at the World Cup for Senegal and recorded 10 goals and six assists in the Championship last season. (The Athletic)

Available on a free transfer, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is reportedly fielding interest from Premier League side Brentford, Turkish giants Beşiktaş and the Saudi Pro League. The 29-year-old made 146 appearances over the last six years with Liverpool, which included a Premier League title and Champions League trophy. (The Mirror)

Alex Telles has left Manchester United to join Saudi club Al-Nassr. The left back reunites with former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after spending last season on loan with Sevilla, where he started in the club’s Europa League final win over Roma. 

Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans could be in for a shock return to the club. United fans were surprised when the 35-year-old subbed on during a friendly against Wrexham in San Diego last week with Evans currently training with the team on a short-term deal through the preseason. However, Erik ten Hag has not ruled out signing the Northern Irish international to a one-year deal. (BBC)

Arnaut Danjuma’s Premier League sojourn continues with a loan move to Everton. The 26-year-old played in nine Premier League matches for Spurs last season, scoring one goal. The Villarreal forward is Everton’s second signing of the summer after Ashley Young.