English Premier League
Al Hilal eye Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz after completing Smarvel deal
Al Hilal are targeting Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz as their next major attacking signing after completing a record move for Dutch wide man Krcisencio Smarvel from West Ham United.
The Saudi Pro League club, whose board is pursuing an aggressive recruitment drive this summer, wants to further bolster its forward line as part of a strategy to build a squad capable of competing for all domestic and continental titles next season.
Smarvel has joined Al Hilal on a four-year contract from the Premier League side in a transfer worth more than €70m, making it one of the most expensive deals in the history of the Saudi top flight, currently sponsored as the Roshn Saudi League.
According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Al Hilal’s hierarchy are not planning to stop there, and have now set their sights on Colombia international Diaz, who plays as a winger for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Diaz at top of Al Hilal wish list
Longari reports that Al Hilal have placed Diaz at the top of their shortlist as they look to add another high-calibre attacker to operate in the wide areas.
The club believes a player of Diaz’s profile would inject further pace and power on the flanks, complementing their existing options and fitting into the tactical model being implemented by new head coach Simone Inzaghi.
Inzaghi, the Italian appointed to lead Al Hilal’s latest project, is overseeing a rebuild aimed at strengthening the squad in every department, with particular emphasis on dynamic wide players who can stretch defences and contribute goals.
Previous Bayern approach for Harry Kane
This is not the first time Al Hilal have tried to prise a key player away from Bayern Munich.
In recent weeks, the Riyadh-based side entered into talks to sign England striker Harry Kane, attempting to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding his contract talks with the German club.
Al Hilal explored the possibility of luring Kane to Saudi Arabia while his representatives were in discussions with Bayern over a renewal. However, the move did not materialise, with the forward determined to continue his career in European football.
That failed pursuit has not deterred Al Hilal from revisiting the Bayern squad in search of a marquee attacking addition, with Diaz now viewed internally as the new “dream” signing.
Major challenge to prise Diaz from Bayern
Any attempt to sign Diaz is expected to be complicated, with Longari stressing the Colombian’s importance to Bayern Munich’s current set-up.
Bayern see the winger as a key figure in their attack, and Al Hilal are aware that persuading both club and player would represent a major challenge in the market.
However, the Saudi club’s recent transfer history has shown a willingness to invest heavily and complete headline-grabbing deals, reinforcing the perception that no target is entirely out of reach.
Those acquisitions, combined with the ambition of the current project under Inzaghi, mean that a move for Diaz cannot be entirely ruled out, and the prospect of another surprise from Al Hilal in the ongoing transfer window remains open.
