Recent press reports have revealed the real reasons behind the breakdown of negotiations for the transfer of talented Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, star of Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal during the winter transfer window. Although the deal seemed promising for strengthening the "Leader's" squad, the high financial demands prevented its completion, closing the door on one of the most prominent potential signings of the transfer market.
Details of the negotiations and the deal's collapse
According to reliable journalist Sacha Talivore, Al-Hilal's management had entered into serious negotiations to sign Pavlidis to bolster their attacking options. The report indicated that the Dutch club, AZ Alkmaar, had set a hefty price tag of €70 million to release their star striker. This exorbitant sum prompted Al-Hilal's management to categorically reject the offer, effectively canceling the deal for the time being and confirming the Greek striker's continued stay in the Dutch league until further notice.
General context: Al-Hilal is looking for attacking reinforcements
Al-Hilal's pursuit of a new striker is part of a clear tactical plan by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who seeks to bolster the team's attacking options and compete on all fronts. Despite the team's exceptional performance, leading the Saudi Professional League undefeated and shining in the AFC Champions League, the ACL injury to Brazilian star Neymar Jr. has left a gap in their foreign player quota. The club aims to find a player capable of supporting Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and providing diverse attacking solutions to maintain the team's upward trajectory during the crucial stages of the season.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
Had the transfer of Pavlidis gone through, it would have been a tremendous boost for Al-Hilal, both domestically and continentally. The Greek striker is one of the top scorers in Europe, currently leading the Dutch league's scoring charts, and is renowned for his clinical finishing inside the penalty area. His arrival would have significantly strengthened Al-Hilal's squad, giving them an unstoppable attacking force and cementing their status as a top contender for the AFC Champions League title. Internationally, the transfer of a player at the peak of his career from Europe to the Saudi league would have further demonstrated the growing appeal of the Kingdom's sporting project. However, the deal's collapse also highlights that European clubs are not easily willing to part with their star players and will likely demand exorbitant financial terms to retain them.
