Reliable international press reports, most notably those of the famous Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, revealed that Al-Hilal Saudi Club is close to finalizing its first foreign signing during the current winter transfer window, by signing Spanish defender Pablo Mari, formerly of Arsenal and Flamengo.
Romano confirmed via his official account on the "X" platform that Al-Hilal's management is on the verge of finalizing the deal for approximately two million euros. This comes as the club strives to bolster its defense and address weaknesses before entering the crucial stages of the domestic and continental season. Reports indicate that the Italian club has given the green light for the transfer, paving the way for the player's arrival in Riyadh within the next few hours.
The player has a long-standing relationship with coach Jorge Jesus
This deal takes on special significance and a logical explanation when considering the historical connection between the player and Al-Hilal's current coach, the Portuguese Jorge Jesus. Pablo Mari enjoyed the most successful period of his career under Jesus's guidance at Brazilian club Flamengo in 2019, where they formed a successful partnership that contributed to the team winning the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian league titles. This makes the player's integration with the coach's ideas virtually guaranteed, requiring little time to adapt.
A distinguished career and extensive European experience
Pablo Mari boasts an impressive resume and extensive experience in European and Latin American football, having played professionally in some of the world's strongest leagues. In addition to his golden era with Flamengo, he also wore the Arsenal jersey in the English Premier League and had stints in the Italian Serie A, making him a valuable addition to Al-Hilal's defense, which needs an experienced leader adept at building play from the back and handling aerial balls.
The context of the deal and its impact on Al-Hilal
These intensified moves by Al-Hilal come after previous negotiations to sign top-class defenders stalled. Sources indicated that attempts to sign Inter Milan duo Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij fell through due to complications related to the João Cancelo deal. Al-Hilal is currently competing on multiple fronts, most notably the Saudi Professional League and the AFC Champions League, making strengthening both the bench and the starting lineup with solid defensive options crucial to maintaining the team's high level of performance and avoiding fatigue and injuries in the final stretch of the season.
