With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Saudi Pro League clubs are once again ready to make headlines with high-profile moves targeting Europe’s elite.
Al-Hilal, one of the region’s biggest spenders, have set their sights on bolstering their midfield with world-class talent—and they’re not afraid to aim high.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who is linked with Real Madrid, is also being eyed by the Saudi Pro League side.
According to recent reports, Al-Hilal have offered Fernandes a jaw-dropping deal worth £195m.
But with negotiations still ongoing and Amorim not looking to sell, Al-Hilal are actively shortlisting alternatives, which includes one Aston Villa star.
Al-Hilal eye move for Youri Tielemans as Bruno Fernandes alternative
According to the latest report from talkSPORT, Al-Hilal are set to hold a fresh round of talks with Bruno Fernandes’ camp this Tuesday.
As per the report, they will give him one more week to make a decision. If they fail in their pursuit of the Manchester United captain, they have a plan B with several players being shortlisted.
Among them is Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans who is rated at £60m.
The Saudi Pro League is said to have a good relationship with Villa having secured the deals for Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby in recent transfer windows.
Youri Tielemans has been a key player for Aston Villa
Tielemans, who has been described as ‘absolutely magnificent‘, has been a key figure in Aston Villa’s excellent domestic and European campaign, helping drive their push for Champions League qualification.
With two games remaining, Villa sit sixth—level on points with Chelsea—and know that two wins could secure a seat at Europe’s top table.
The Belgian midfielder has featured 52 times across all competitions, tallying five goals and ten assists.
Beyond the direct goal contributions, his deeper metrics underline his influence: he ranks third in the Premier League for through balls (24), third for passes into the final third (228), fifth for progressive passes (234), seventh for tackles won (57), and ninth for fouls drawn (56).
| Stat | Premier League | Champions League |
| Matches Played | 35 | 12 |
| Minutes Played | 2,997 | 1,041 |
| Goals | 3 | 2 |
| Assists | 7 | 3 |
| xG | 3.1 | 0.8 |
| npxG | 2.3 | 0.8 |
| xAG | 6.9 | 1.9 |
| Shot-Creating Actions (SCA) | 119 | 35 |
| Goal-Creating Actions (GCA) | 12 | 4 |
While Villa will be keen to keep hold of such a key player, a sizeable offer from Al-Hilal, especially if the club secures Champions League football, could force a difficult decision.
With Financial Fair Play considerations in mind, the significant money from his sale could free up funds to reinforce the squad ahead of next season.
They will also have made a 100% profit on him considering Villa signed Tielemans on a free transfer in 2023, making it a brilliant piece of business from a money point of view.
