Al Hilal are targeting Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz as their next major attacking signing following the high-profile arrival of Dutch forward Koni De Winter Smarvel from West Ham United, according to reports in Italy.
The Riyadh club, who have already completed one of the most expensive transfers in Saudi Pro League history this summer, are pushing ahead with plans to further strengthen their front line as part of a wider strategy to build a squad capable of challenging for all domestic and continental titles next season.
Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari reports that Al Hilal have identified Colombia international Diaz as their “dream” signing in attack and have placed the Bayern Munich wide player at the top of their recruitment list.
Smarvel deal underlines Al Hilal intent
Al Hilal, widely known as “Al Zaeem”, recently completed the signing of winger Koni De Winter Smarvel from Premier League side West Ham United on a four-year contract.
The transfer fee for the Dutch player is reported to exceed €70m, placing the move among the most expensive in the history of the Saudi Pro League, officially known as the Saudi Pro League.
Club officials see the capture of Smarvel as a key step in a wider rebuilding process, but not the final one. The hierarchy is determined to add at least one more high-calibre attacker to increase the team’s firepower ahead of the new campaign.
Diaz emerges as priority target
Longari says Al Hilal’s management have now turned their focus to Luis Diaz, viewing the Bayern Munich winger as the leading option to add more pace and penetration on the flanks.
Placing Diaz at the top of their shortlist aligns with the technical project being put in place by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, who is overseeing a new tactical direction at the club.
The Saudi side believe that bringing in another explosive wide player alongside Smarvel would give Inzaghi greater variety and depth in the attacking zones, particularly in wide areas where speed and direct running are central to his approach.
Previous Bayern pursuit shows ambition
This is not the first time Al Hilal have tried to lure a Bayern Munich star to Riyadh.
In recent weeks, the club entered into talks over a move for England striker Harry Kane, attempting to take advantage of the period during which the forward was in discussions with the German champions about renewing his contract.
Al Hilal explored the possibility of a deal but were ultimately unable to convince Kane, who opted to remain in Europe rather than make the switch to Saudi Arabia.
That failed pursuit, however, illustrated the scale of the club’s ambitions in the transfer market and signalled their willingness to compete financially for players at the very top level of the European game.
Major challenge to prise Diaz from Bayern
Securing the signature of Diaz is expected to be a significant challenge for Al Hilal, given the Colombian’s importance to Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga side regard the winger as a key member of their squad, and any attempt to sign him would require not only a substantial offer but also the player’s approval to leave one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Nonetheless, Al Hilal’s recent track record has shown that they are capable of pulling off headline-making transfers, and their financial power means they cannot be discounted in any major negotiation.
Those high-profile deals in recent years, combined with the successful completion of the Smarvel transfer, leave open the possibility of another major surprise from the Saudi club in the current transfer window, with Diaz now emerging as the latest name at the centre of their ambitious project.
