In a move that confirms the continued great ambition of Saudi clubs in the global transfer market, Al-Hilal Saudi Club has secured a major deal by signing the young talent Mohamed Kader Meiti, the striker of Stade Rennais French Club, during the current winter transfer period, thus surpassing the major clubs of the English Premier League.
Deal details and Romano's confirmation
Reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, specializing in player transfer news, confirmed via his official X account that Al-Hilal's management has reached a final and comprehensive agreement with their counterparts at the French club. According to reports, the deal is worth approximately €30 million, a figure that reflects Al-Hilal's strong belief in the young player's potential.
Romano pointed out that Al-Hilal not only reached an agreement with the club, but also finalized an agreement with the player on all personal terms, as Mete is scheduled to undergo a medical examination soon in preparation for the official announcement and signing of contracts.
A clash with Premier League giants
What distinguishes this deal is not just the financial value or the player's talent, but the fierce competition Al-Hilal faced. The name of 18-year-old Mohamed Kader Meiti had been linked to several major European clubs in recent days, most notably Manchester United and Chelsea. However, Al-Hilal's sporting project and the seriousness of their negotiations were the decisive factors in convincing the player to choose the Saudi offer over remaining in Europe at this time.
A strategic shift in Saudi contracts
This deal signals a qualitative shift in the recruitment strategy of the Saudi Professional League. After initially focusing on attracting experienced, world-class stars, the focus now appears to be shifting towards recruiting promising young talents (Wonderkids) with bright futures, ensuring the league's continued competitiveness and increasing its market value in the long term.
Al-Hilal, as the leader of Asia and one of the most decorated clubs, is the ideal environment to hone Mete's talent, especially with the presence of a constellation of international stars in the team, which will provide the young player with an opportunity to develop and grow alongside big names.
Metty's numbers and his career with Rennes
On a technical level, Kader Meite has delivered a remarkable performance with Stade Rennais this season, participating in 19 matches across all competitions, during which he scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists for his teammates. Despite his young age, the player has displayed a level of footballing maturity that has attracted the attention of scouts from major clubs.
According to the global website “Transfermarkt”, which specializes in football economics, the player’s current market value is about 10 million euros, but Al-Hilal paid almost three times this amount to secure the player’s services and block the path of competitors, betting on the explosion of his talent in Saudi and Asian stadiums.
