The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Al-Hilal

  • Saudi club Al-Hilal target Bassey

    Saudi club Al-Hilal target Bassey

    Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal are plotting a summer move for Fulham’s Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey as they prepare for the inaugural 2025 Club World Cup, Soccernet.ng understands.

    According to reports, the Riyadh-based club, keen to strengthen their defensive ranks, has identified Bassey as a key target following a dip in form from their center-back pairing of Ali Al-Bulaihi and Kalidou Koulibaly.

    With the competition set to feature 32 of the world’s best clubs, Al-Hilal are looking for reinforcements to ensure it can compete at the highest level.

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    To lure Nigerian international Calvin Bassey to Saudi Arabia, Africa Foot reported that Al-Hilal are prepared to offer a four-year contract with an optional fifth, along with an annual salary of €8 million.

    However, securing Bassey’s signature won’t come cheap, as his contract with Fulham runs until June 2027, and he has a release clause set at €25 million.

  • Neymar returns to Al-Hilal training 

    Neymar returns to Al-Hilal training 

    Neymar took part in team training and will join the Al-Hilal squad for their Asian Champions League trip to UAE Pro League club Al-Ain after recovering from a serious knee injury, the Saudi Pro League club said.

    The 32-year-old Brazil forward has not played since sustaining the injury during his nation’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October last year.

    He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and underwent surgery in November.

    Having moved to Saudi Arabia from French champions Paris St Germain for a reported fee of around 90 million euros ($97.8 million) in August last year, Neymar had only played five games before his layoff as he was struggling with muscle injuries.

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    The former Barcelona forward, who is Brazil’s leading scorer, missed their 2024 Copa America campaign in the United States, where they suffered a second straight quarter-final exit from a major tournament after losing to Croatia on penalties at the 2022 World Cup.

    “Al-Hilal is happy to announce that Neymar will join the squad for the away trip to Al-Ain. He’s back,” the club posted on social media platform X.

    “Neymar participated in team training after completing his recovery program,” Al-Hilal said in another post.