Steve Calzada, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal club, put an end to the growing media speculation linking the club’s name to a new, fantastic deal involving the signing of Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, winger for Real Madrid, during the upcoming summer transfer window.
These statements come at a time when the Saudi sports scene is experiencing a state of anticipation, especially after news that spoke of the failure of negotiations to renew the player’s contract with the Royal Club, which officially ends on June 30, 2027, due to disagreements over financial terms and image rights, which opened the door to rumors of his transfer to the Roshan League.
The truth about the negotiations and Calzada's statements
Speaking to the renowned Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Calzada denied any current direct negotiations between Al-Hilal and the Brazilian player. He clarified, "There are no negotiations between Al-Hilal and Vinicius Junior at the moment." However, Calzada highlighted a crucial point regarding the Saudi Professional League's strategy, explaining that the league's CEO, Omar Maghrabi, consistently emphasizes that should any world-class player become available on the market, the league will strive to acquire him to enhance the competition's market and technical value.
A historic week at the Blue Castle
This denial comes amidst widespread celebrations among Al-Hilal fans following what has been described as a "historic" week in the transfer market. The club successfully completed a major signing, acquiring French star Karim Benzema from arch-rivals Al-Ittihad, a move that shook Saudi football circles. They also signed promising striker Mohamed Kader Meite from French club Rennes, and strengthened their midfield by renewing the contract of Portuguese star Rúben Neves, confirming Al-Hilal's desire to maintain its technical stability.
General context and impact of the Saudi project
This news gains significance within the broader context of the Saudi sports project, which began with the acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo, followed by a string of other international deals. The connection between Vinicius Junior, a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or, and Saudi clubs reflects the international stature the Roshan League has attained. Despite Al-Hilal's denial of current negotiations, the overall recruitment strategy indicates that the door remains open for major opportunities that align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in the sports sector, making the Saudi transfer market a focus of global attention during each transfer window.
