Dembele ‘best player in the world’ targeted by Al Hilal in major summer move

Al Hilal have opened talks with the representatives of Ousmane Dembele as they explore a blockbuster move for the Paris Saint-Germain and France star this summer, according to transfer specialist Sacha Tavolieri.

The Saudi Pro League champions are understood to be sounding out the 29-year-old forward over a switch to Riyadh before entering into formal negotiations with his club.

Tavolieri reports that if Dembele gives his approval to the move, Al Hilal will then open discussions with Paris Saint-Germain about a transfer fee for the reigning Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best winner.

This latest development appears to contradict an earlier account in Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, which reported on 7 June that Al Hilal had already submitted an official bid to PSG for the French international and were awaiting a response from the Ligue 1 side.

Conflicting reports over timing of Al Hilal bid

Arriyadiyah’s June report claimed that Al Hilal’s hierarchy had sent a formal offer to their counterparts in Paris, requesting Dembele’s services and signalling their readiness to put significant money on the table.

According to that version of events, the Riyadh club were “awaiting a response from the Parisian club in order to start negotiations and present an official financial offer”.

Tavolieri’s information suggests instead that the process is at an earlier stage, with the Saudi champions first seeking to secure Dembele’s personal green light before moving to the club-to-club phase.

There has been no public comment from either Al Hilal or Paris Saint-Germain on the status of any talks, and details of any potential contract or transfer fee have not been disclosed.

Dembele under contract until 2028

Dembele, who joined PSG after spells with Rennes, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, is currently tied to the French champions until the summer of 2028.

The winger is coming off a standout campaign in which he played 40 matches in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists for the Parisian side.

His contribution was central to PSG winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, cementing the club’s status among Europe’s elite and enhancing his own reputation as one of the game’s most decisive attacking talents.

Those performances saw Dembele crowned “best player in the world” last season, after he collected both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award.

World Cup winner and France mainstay

On the international stage, Dembele has long been a key figure for France.

He was part of the squad that lifted the 2018 World Cup and later finished as runners-up at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The forward was again called up by Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup, featuring for “Les Bleus” only days before news of Al Hilal’s interest emerged.

His status with the national team, combined with his recent individual honours and Champions League success, underlines the scale of ambition behind any move by Al Hilal to prise him away from Paris.

Saudi Pro League’s push for global stars continues

Al Hilal have been at the forefront of the Saudi Pro League’s high-profile recruitment drive in recent seasons, targeting some of world football’s biggest names in an effort to raise the league’s global profile and competitive level.

Landing Dembele – at the peak of his career, under a long-term contract and fresh from back-to-back Champions League titles – would rank among the club’s most ambitious moves yet.

Whether PSG would be prepared to part with their star winger, and at what price, remains unclear. With Dembele contracted until 2028, any agreement is likely to require a substantial financial package.

For now, focus appears to be on winning over the player himself, with Al Hilal waiting to see whether one of Europe’s most decorated current forwards is ready to swap Paris – and the Champions League – for Riyadh and the rapidly evolving Saudi Pro League.