The past few hours have witnessed rapid developments in the negotiations between Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal club and the young striker of French club Stade Rennais, Mohamed Kader Meiti, as part of “Al-Za’eem’s” efforts to strengthen its ranks with promising names during the current winter transfer window, to ensure continued competition for all local and continental titles.
Inzaghi is leading the negotiations himself
According to a report by Radio Monte Carlo on Thursday evening, Al-Hilal's management has taken a significant step to finalize the deal, with the team's Italian coach, Simone Inzaghi, personally intervening. The report explained that Inzaghi contacted the 18-year-old player by phone, attempting to convince him of the club's project and the role he would play within the team, reflecting the coach's strong desire to secure the services of the talented French player.
A struggle between renewal and departure
On the other hand, Al-Hilal's task doesn't appear easy, as officials at French club Stade Rennais, according to the same report, are working to secure their young player's future. The French club's management is striving to convince Meiti to extend his contract during this period, to ensure his continued presence with the team and his development in the French league, or at least to guarantee a higher financial return should he be sold in the future.
Mohamed Kader Mete's numbers in the 25/26 season
Mohamed Kader Meiti's name emerged prominently during the 2025/26 season, where he displayed a level of footballing maturity beyond his years. The player featured in 17 matches for Rennes this season, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in 567 minutes of play, making him one of the most promising names in European football, attracting interest from major clubs.
Strategy for attracting young talent
These moves by Al-Hilal come within a broader context in the Saudi Professional League, which has shifted from attracting only established international stars to targeting young, emerging talents in European leagues. The Mete deal, if finalized, would represent a continuation of this long-term investment strategy, as Saudi clubs strive to build strong teams capable of competing for years to come, not just achieving short-term success.
Al-Hilal's status and the influence of international coaches
Simone Inzaghi's personal intervention reflects the high value that the Roshen club now holds and the influence of world-class coaches in finalizing deals. Having a name of Inzaghi's stature at the helm of Al-Hilal's technical leadership is a powerful draw for young players seeking tactical and technical development. Furthermore, Al-Hilal, as the Asian champion and a perennial contender in the Club World Cup, represents an enticing destination for any player aspiring to glory and championships, thus tipping the scales in their favor in negotiations, despite the French club's reluctance to part with their player.
