Mercato madness: Al-Hilal's Benzema crisis and transfer plans
Al-Hilal are navigating a complex transfer window, balancing a standoff with Karim Benzema and pursuits of Victor Osimhen and Pedro Neto.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: محمد أمين أنصاري
Al-Hilal management is currently navigating a delicate set of transfer negotiations. The club is actively seeking to reshape its attacking line, but they face a significant hurdle regarding the departure of Karim Benzema. The French forward is reportedly insisting on the full payment of his financial dues under his current contract, creating a stalemate that requires a careful, mutually agreed-upon financial settlement.
Resolving the Benzema situation is the first priority, as it serves as the foundation for the club's wider transfer strategy. Once that obstacle is cleared, Al-Hilal aims to push for the signing of Victor Osimhen, who remains their primary target to lead the attack. Landing a player of the Nigerian's calibre is seen as the catalyst for a major squad transformation.
Simultaneously, the club is looking to reinforce the right wing, with Portugal's Pedro Neto identified as the top candidate. The finalization of this deal is directly linked to the future of Malcom. The Brazilian winger has already agreed to personal terms with Al-Diriyah, but Al-Hilal will only sanction the move once they have secured a replacement, ensuring they do not leave a gap in their squad.
This sequence of moves highlights a high level of operational precision. Every potential deal is interdependent, and Al-Hilal's management is focused on reorganizing the squad without leaving any position vacant. The coming days will be decisive in determining whether the club can pull off this series of moves and successfully transition to a new squad look.