Crystal Palace had interest in Mohamed Kader Meïté, an 18-year-old Ivorian centre-forward, and Manchester United had been aware of him since the beginning of the year. Both Manchester United and Arsenal made inquiries about the player's situation. It was reported that other Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Tottenham, were also informed about the possibility of him returning to Europe. Intermediaries attempted to gauge market interest, and the Ivory Coast U23 international was said to be open to the idea of a move back to European football this summer.
However, Al Hilal stopped any potential transfer, believing it was too early to let go of a player they had signed on February 1, 2026. Meïté is under contract until 2029 and valued at €18 million, and his Saudi club does not appear willing to let him leave in the short term. The transfer from Rennes to Al Hilal in February 2026 was for a reported €30 million, following a January 2026 window where Al-Hilal's bids were reportedly as high as €40 million.
