Al-Hilal Transfer Chase: €52m Move for Moise Kean Heats Up

Al-Hilal transfer talks have burst into life this week as the Riyadh powerhouse looks to pounce on Moise Kean’s €52 million release clause at Fiorentina before it lapses. The Saudi champions have already sounded out the Italian’s representatives and are prepared to hand the 24-year-old a staggering €20 million net salary per season, dwarfing his current wages in Serie A and matching packages offered to recent Pro League recruits.

Al-Hilal transfer ambition meets Fiorentina resistance

Fiorentina’s hierarchy are determined not to lose their leading scorer for anything less than the release figure. Club president Rocco Commisso opened provisional renewal talks last month, tabling a new five-year deal worth roughly €4 million per season plus bonuses. While that would make Kean La Viola’s best-paid player, it pales in comparison to Al-Hilal’s proposal and the lucrative tax advantages of playing in Saudi Arabia.

European competition: Man Utd and Saudi rivals circling

Adding further intrigue, Manchester United have held informal discussions with Kean’s entourage through intermediaries linked to incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. United envision Kean as a flexible forward who could challenge Rasmus Højlund and operate off the left. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal must also fend off their domestic foes Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, both granted similar transfer war chests by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and eager to bolster their attacking lines after mixed starts to the new season.

Why Moise Kean is Al-Hilal transfer priority

The Tuscan outfit bought Kean outright from Juventus last summer for €31 million after an initial loan, and the former Everton striker has rewarded their faith with 18 goals and eight assists across all competitions. His blend of pace, strength, and improved movement inside the penalty area fits perfectly with Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus’ preference for direct, wide service from Malcom and Sergej Milinković-Savić. Club sources stress the desire for a young forward who can grow into Asian football but still has resale value should Europe come calling again.

Financial breakdown of the prospective move

1. Transfer fee: €52 million paid in one instalment, as stipulated in the clause, avoiding prolonged negotiations.
2. Salary package: €60 million across a projected three-year contract.
3. Image rights: A separate commercial agreement allowing Kean to profit from Middle East sponsorships.
4. Performance bonuses: Goals, assists, and titles could boost earnings by another €5 million annually.

Tactical fit and squad implications

Should the Al-Hilal transfer materialise, Kean would likely spearhead a three-man attack. Odion Ighalo’s contract expires in June and will not be renewed, freeing a foreign player slot. Kean’s arrival would add youthful dynamism to an experienced roster that already features Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Ruben Neves. His Italian upbringing under tactical disciplinarians like Massimiliano Allegri also brings a pressing intensity lacking in parts of the Pro League.

Release clause countdown: key dates

• 10 January – Clause becomes fully payable to Fiorentina with no instalment option.
• 31 January – Winter window closes in Europe; Serie A sides cannot replace Kean afterward.
• 7 February – Saudi Pro League registration deadline.
These timelines are driving urgency on all fronts. Fiorentina want clarity early, United may wait to offload Anthony Martial before acting, and Al-Hilal must complete medicals and paperwork before the Saudi deadline.

Player perspective: Kean weighs career crossroads

Kean has privately told friends he loves life in Florence but feels “intrigued” by the project in Riyadh. A move to Old Trafford also appeals given his desire to prove himself again in the Premier League after a disappointing Everton spell. Sources close to the striker insist no decision will be made until after Fiorentina’s Coppa Italia quarter-final on 17 January, where Kean hopes to bid farewell with silverware if a deal progresses.

Serie A reaction and potential replacements

Italian media speculate that Fiorentina are eyeing Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee or Torino’s Antonio Sanabria as successors. Sporting director Daniele Pradè admitted, “We have contingency plans, but our priority is extending Moise’s contract.” Fans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi have displayed banners urging Kean to stay, underscoring his rapid ascent to cult-hero status.

Al-Hilal transfer track record strengthens credibility

The Saudi giants have successfully lured global names by acting swiftly. Aleksandar Mitrović and Kalidou Koulibaly both arrived within days of clauses being triggered, proving the club can execute complex deals efficiently. That history bolsters confidence they can finalise Kean’s switch should he signal approval.

Commercial and league-wide ramifications

An Al-Hilal transfer for a 24-year-old Italian international would be seen as another statement capture, shifting the narrative from signing aging stars toward attracting talents entering their prime. The Pro League’s global broadcast partners would relish marketing a personality familiar to European audiences, while Serie A would feel the economic gap widen further.

What happens next?

• Talks between Al-Hilal and Kean’s agent Mino Raiola’s agency continueremotely this week.
• Fiorentina expect a formal written offer by 12 January or will intensify renewal efforts.
• United are monitoring but will not enter a bidding war unless the clause is breached.

Short Opinion: Al-Hilal’s aggressive stance shows the Saudi Pro League’s evolution from lucrative retirement home to genuine competitor for Europe’s hottest prospects. If Kean prioritises financial security and a starring role on a global stage, the deal makes sense. Yet a move away from top-level European competition at 24 could stunt his development. The next fortnight will reveal whether ambition or prudence wins out.