Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target remains uninterested in Al Hilal despite efforts to improve offer
Kylian Mbappe is football’s hottest market prospect at the moment by quite some distance.
With the French sensation towards the tail end of his contract with PSG and seemingly firm about his desire to leave the club, teams across the world are in the race to secure his signing.
Saudi Arabia, unsurprisingly, has representation on board as well, after all, The middle-east based League has been snapping up some of Europe’s finest football talents this summer and hopes to win over Mbappe’s will through its economic pull.
Earlier this week, Al Hilal’s jaw-dropping proposal for the PSG star was revealed and stunned the world.
The Saudi-based club were reportedly willing to spend €300 million for the French star in transfer fees in addition to offering him a salary of €200 million with sponsorships.
Al Hilal still trying to convince Mbappe
Mbappe refused the offer without batting an eye at the time, but Fabrizio Romano reports that Al Hilal are far from done.
According to the Italian journalist, they have tried to further improve their bid in the last 24 to 48 hours to change his mind. Yet, the World Cup winner’s answer remains in the negative.
It is no secret that the PSG star sees Real Madrid as the next stage in his career.
The Merengues have been involved in his pursuit for years now, but his contractual situation makes the conditions amicable for an immediate transfer now.
The Parisiens demand a fee of at least €250 million for their star winger this summer, but that number is said to exceed what Real Madrid are willing to splash.
With negotiations likely to begin in the coming days, via intermediaries, it will be interesting to see how the two parties mend their bridges.
Mbappe is currently not training with Luis Enrique’s side after being dropped from the preseason squad on the tour to Asia.
PSG have made it clear that he will only be incorporated into the setup once he makes a binding decision about his future – either to renew and stay or to leave immediately.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
