Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has refused to meet with Al Hilal executives, potentially killing the Saudis’ ambitions of completing a world record 300 million euro ($333 million) purchase.
The French star has declined “any discussion with representatives of the Al-Hilal club, who are present in Paris this Wednesday,” according to the sports newspaper L’Equipe.
According to the source, a Saudi club delegation visited Paris to finalize the transfer of Brazilian Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg.
They also wanted to show Mbappe their project while he was in Paris.
“This approach will fail,” L’Equipe stated, because the 24-year-old player’s entourage “refused any discussions with the representatives of the Saudi club.”
“The captain of Les Bleus has never considered this option,” according to the report.
Despite Mbappe’s lack of interest in joining the fast-growing Saudi league, Riyadh-based Al Hilal was given permission to begin talks with him.
Mbappe has one year left on his PSG deal, and the club would rather that he depart now rather than for free next summer.
However, Mbappe has refused to sign a new contract, and the French champions believe he has already agreed to join Real Madrid next season.
