Al Hilal
Meïté Agrees Fee with Al Hilal as United’s January Window Looks Restrained
Meïté looks set for Al Hilal after a reported €30m agreement, leaving United’s January options thin.
Mohamed Kader Meïté is reported to be on the verge of joining Al Hilal after the Saudi Pro League club agreed a deal with Rennes worth in the region of €30 million (£26 million, $35.9 million), per Fabrizio Romano. The move deprives Manchester United of one of the few targets they were linked with for January.
Reports acknowledged “approaches” from Premier League clubs, but Meïté is thought to have seen the chance to work under Simone Inzaghi in the Middle East as the “ideal step” in his development. January is shaping up to be a period of consolidation rather than expansion for United.
The Red Devils dropped to a lowly eighth on this year’s footballing rich list. Without European competition to call upon, the club’s revenues will fall further in the next set of accounts, limiting spending power. The financial reach of the brand means United will not be entirely cash-strapped—more than £200 million was splashed on just three forwards last summer—but there are clear constraints.
Ruben Amorim expressed his frustration before his departure. “I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3 we need to spend a lot of money and need time,” he said. “I’m starting to understand that is not going to happen so maybe I have to adapt.” At his farewell press conference he added: “Every department, the scouting department, the sports director needs to do their job,” and “I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.”
Michael Carrick, now interim coach, has at least one week to prepare for each of United’s remaining 15 matches with the players available. There has been continued talk of Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee and even Bruno Fernandes leaving in January, but if there are no incomings United are hardly in a position to willingly weaken their own hand.
Looking ahead to the summer, United’s attacking depth, reinforced last year, shows in the numbers: second in the Premier League for actual non-penalty goals and expected goals, and top of the division for shots and shots on target. Casemiro will have to be replaced, with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba considered the likeliest candidates. Replacing Bruno Fernandes would be risky, though this may be the last summer to cash in on the talismanic playmaker, who has left the door open to an exit after the World Cup.
Al Ahli
Saudi Pro League Weighs Salah and Vinicius as 2026 Recruitment Pivot
Saudi clubs targeting Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior as veteran departures open 2026 opportunity.
The Saudi Pro League has identified Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior as headline targets as the competition plans another recruitment push. League owners are positioned to capitalise on a changing roster of high-profile arrivals whose contracts begin to expire in 2026.
Salah has long featured on Saudi wishlists. Making a ‘local’ Arab star the face of the league would carry major regional significance. Interest in Salah “has been no secret in the past. But with his Liverpool future uncertain beyond this season following a difficult few months, the Telegraph has reported that Saudi interest is rising again.” Enquiries regarding the possibility of prising him away from Liverpool this month are said to have failed. The 33-year-old faces a decision in the coming months about whether to leave Anfield and, if so, whether to remain in Europe or move further afield. There is no doubt that the money on offer in Saudi Arabia cannot be rivalled anywhere else.
Vinicius Junior represents a different proposition. At 25 he is notably younger than many recent signings to the league. Contract talks with Real Madrid stalled due to a strained relationship with Xabi Alonso, and the player is reported to be seeking a salary Madrid are unwilling to meet as he seeks to re-establish alpha dog status. With his contract running until 2027 the Brazilian is approaching a career crossroad and will need to choose his next step.
The pathway for fresh investment is partly created by impending contract expiries among the first wave of arrivals. Several veteran stars at Saudi clubs are on track to become free agents in 2026, potentially freeing funds for new signings. Clubs with common ownership among the biggest domestic teams are well funded and can present competitive proposals to players and their advisers.
The dynamic is simple: a transition from an opening era of veteran imports to a new recruitment phase that targets elite talent still in their peak years. For the Saudi Pro League, Salah and Vinicius Jr are emblematic of that next phase.
