Adama Coulibaly’s time at Al Hilal Omdurman appears to be drawing to a close, with the 19-year-old Malian striker now firmly on the radar of Saudi clubs Al Fateh and Al Riyadh.
After months of resistance, the Sudanese side has reopened talks over his departure, according to Africafoot.
Stade Brestois had previously tested Al Hilal’s resolve with a €700,000 bid, but Al Fateh significantly raised the stakes.
Sitting 10th in last season’s Saudi Pro League, they tabled an offer of €1.2 million plus €300,000 in bonuses.
The move underlines how highly Coulibaly is regarded after his breakthrough campaign in the CAF Champions League.
Al Riyadh remain in the running, having proposed a package worth around €1 million, with a resale clause that could push the total value towards €2 million.
Their bid keeps the race alive and ensures Al Hilal will have a decision to make in the coming weeks.
Coulibaly, nicknamed Messi for his flair and technical ability, is under contract until 2029 but has made clear his desire to leave.
Sources suggest the forward is even willing to take the drastic step of unilaterally ending his deal should the Sudanese club block his transfer.
His determination is rooted in a reluctance to return to Sudan, where worsening instability has created an increasingly difficult environment for players.
Cheibane Traoré, a former Malian international, publicly backed the youngster’s ambitions, saying: Lens is the best destination for Adama…—a nod to the belief that Coulibaly could thrive in Europe in the long term. His agent echoed that sentiment, calling him “a gem and a future great of Malian and African football.
For now, however, the immediate tug-of-war centres on whether Al Fateh or Al Riyadh can strike the deal that persuades Al Hilal to part with their prized asset.
What is certain is that Coulibaly’s performances have already made him one of the most coveted young African forwards on the market, and this summer could mark the first major turning point of his career.
