As eye-watering as the Al Hilal offer to Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian Mbappe may be, it is itself not a blind bid. The Saudi Pro League club have for weeks been sounding out what it would actually take to bring him over. The Al Hilal president Fahad bin Nafel has been talking about the star to anyone who will listen - including in negotiations for other targets. The Mbappe camp have let a few conditions be known, but they are still considering everything. The 24-year-old himself is said to still be almost single-minded about joining Real Madrid next summer and countenancing nothing else, but there may be a few complications before then. That is the case with the entire transfer market right now, and this is finally a situation that brings the two major factors driving - or, really, halting - it together. One is Saudi Arabian money, which has caused everyone to rethink their plans. The other is the striker market, which currently has a lot of interlinked interests. The feeling is that one big deal will release everything, but the two biggest are log-jammed. It only adds to the intrigue that they are log-jammed for totally opposite reasons. Tottenham Hotspur do not want to sell Harry Kane. PSG are now desperate to sell Mbappe. The potential chain reaction, according to those working on many of the deals, goes like this. If PSG do sell Mbappe, they will go even bigger for Kane. “Whatever they were going to offer the player before, they’d double it,” in the words of one involved figure. Such a bid would almost certainly meet the £100m valuation that Daniel Levy is understood to see as a minimum to even consider a sale, but would also force a response from Bayern Munich. The German club are extremely confident they can get the player and that he wants to come, although one source quipped that “they have no experience of dealing with Daniel”. While PSG are among the few parties that believe the Qatari project can themselves get a deal for Kane done, the general feeling is he will not go there and has little interest, but that he would instead see Manchester United as a first priority. They are currently negotiating for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and pressing on with that. If it did come to a situation where Spurs were willing to sell Kane and openly negotiating with rival clubs, however, United would have to consider acting. It is even believed that the Old Trafford hierarchy would be prepared to set aside separate funds for the England international, such is the value of the signing. The thinking within the market, meanwhile, is that nothing else happens until the Kane decision is made. After that, if PSG do not get him, they will press ahead for Randal Kolo Muani or Dusan Vlahovic. If Vlahovic goes, Juventus will finally make a concrete move for Romelu Lukaku, who himself has an offer from Al Hilal. Which brings us full circle. There may now be another layer with Mbappe. PSG have been sounding out most of Europe’s major clubs, with the response so far mixed. Manchester United are currently not interested this summer, and do not expect that to change. Barcelona and Chelsea have at least explored the possibility. The latter might appeal to Mbappe, especially due to a good relationship with Mauricio Pochettino, but it is understood that his first preference in the Premier League would actually be Arsenal. That is down to reasons like the romance of Thierry Henry's history there, as well as the idea of making history himself and delivering a first title in 20 years. As one figure close to the player’s camp said amid the flurry of activity on Friday, “if ever there was a window for that, it’s now”. Mikel Arteta is another who doesn’t have that kind of budget, though, as he now needs to make sales to bring in another midfielder and potentially a right-back. It is one of the ironies of Mbappe’s situation, and another sign of the direction the game is headed. The 24-year-old is so good, and his horizons as a footballer so vast, that he actually has very limited options. There are only about three or four clubs that could afford him. Lionel Messi found the same in 2021 and this summer. Long gone are the days when an upwardly mobile side in Serie A or La Liga might offer an exciting possibility, as was the case with even Ronaldo before the turn of the millennium. As it is, most major clubs are reluctant to move for other reasons beyond the budget. They think Mbappe only wants the traditional kingpins of European football: Real Madrid. Both the Spanish club and the player are currently willing to hold their nerve. That has increased pressure on PSG but numerous sources insist there is even more to it than just seeing such an asset go for free next summer, and to a club they have an increasingly tense relationship with. There is constant talk of a “loyalty bonus”, with Mbappe set to earn £35m if he is still at Parc des Princes on 31 July. This would of course bring further Financial Fair Play costs for PSG, and that for a player of immense value they will get no money for anyway. Spurs may similarly see their megastar walk away for nothing and have so far come at it from the opposite perspective, although there are murmurs that is changing. Monday brought reports that club owner Joe Lewis has told Levy to sell if Kane will not sign a new deal. The industry view has long been this by far makes the most sense, especially as the club will have to adjust for a future without the striker sooner rather than later. A new tactical approach under Ange Postecoglou even offers something different. For now, everyone is monitoring what everyone else does, without making a decisive move. That’s the nature of the market. A further aspect is that there are almost as many political complications within the Saudi Pro League as there are with the two main summer sagas. While Al Hilal are giddy at the prospect of signing Mbappe, that excitement is not shared within the wider division and not just for reasons of competition. Most of that is due to this idea that the player could do a year in the Saudi Pro League before decamping to the Bernabeu. It is not as neat a compromise for everyone as is being claimed - before you even get to the idea of such a footballer playing in a developing division for a season. One argument put forward is that for all the immediate focus Mbappe would bring, it could actually be damaging to the reputation of the competition if he were to just leave so quickly. The point of the wider project is to build for the long term and gradually create a luxurious but sustainable home for those outside the Premier League. The state does not want it to be somewhere where players are just parked. An immediate departure for Madrid could also create a precedent where the higher-profile players arriving this summer could demand clauses allowing them to leave if Champions League clubs come in. Most of all, though, an immediate Mbappe departure would leave a vacuum. The league would suddenly feel that bit more hollow again, with a move to Madrid instead confirming football’s supposed natural order. The offer still stands, though. For now, it’s only adding to the stand-still in the wider market. Read More World-record bid made for Kylian Mbappe as PSG exit looms PSG attempting to hijack Bayern Munich’s bid to sign Harry Kane Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe plan revealed after PSG declare intent to sell forward

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With four months to go until the World Cup, France were in crisis. Wendie Renard, the French captain, announced that she would not be playing in the tournament. Shortly afterwards, star forwards Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto also withdrew from the team. In an interview, Diani explained that the players had “reached a point of no return” and said there was a lack of professionalism in the France squad, pointing the finger at the head coach Corrine Diacre. It was far from the first time that Diacre had been involved in a dispute with her players. This time, though, it was the final straw. After Noel Le Graet, the head of the French Football Federation (FFF) and key supporter of Diacre, resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment, Diacre was sacked from her position: the FFF said the “dysfunction” under Diacre was “irreversible”. With Diacre gone, France appointed Herve Renard - the head coach of Saudi Arabia at the men’s World Cup in Qatar. It pathed the way for Renard and Diani to return, as well as the country’s record scorer Eugenie Le Sommer and former captain Amandine Henry - two players who had previously been frozen out by Diacre. Crisis averted? Well, France will still be without Katoto and Lyon star Delphine Cascarino due to knee injuries, which are starting to add up elsewhere as well. Henry has also been ruled out and Lyon’s Selma Bacha was stretchered off as Les Bleues were beaten by Australia in their final warm-up game. But with Diacre gone and Renard in charge, there is optimism that the vibes in the France camp will not be destructive to their title chances this time around. Brazil will have something to say about that, however. Led by the legendary Pia Sundhage, who is attempting a brave cultural rest of the Selecao while bringing through a new generation of talent, Brazil will hope to beat France to top spot. Jamaica arrive at the World Cup on the back of a difficult build-up, which has seen the team criticise its governing body for a lack of support while crowd-funding accounts have been set up to cover costs. Panama will be making their first appearance at the Women’s World Cup. France Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Solene Durand (Guingamp), Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus), Constance Picaud (PSG) Defenders: Selma Bacha (Lyon), Estelle Cascarino (Manchester United), Elisa De Almeida (PSG), Sakina Karchaoui (PSG), Maelle Lakrar (Montpellier), Eve Perisset (Chelsea), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Aïssatou Tounkara (Manchester United) Midfielders: Kenza Dali (Aston Villa), Laurina Fazer (PSG), Grace Geyoro (PSG), Lea Le Garrec (FC Fleury), Amel Majri (Lyon), Sandie Toletti (Real Madrid) Forwards: Viviane Asseyi (West Ham), Vicki Becho (Lyon), Kadidiatou Diani (PSG), Naomie Feller (Real Madrid), Eugenie Le Sommer (Lyon), Clara Mateo (Paris FC) Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 23 July: France vs Jamaica (11:00, Sydney) Saturday 29 July: France vs Brazil (11:00, Brisbane) Wednesday 2 August: Panama vs France (11:00, Sydney) Key player With Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino out of the World Cup due to injury, more emphasis and responsibility will be placed on the shoulders of Kadidiatou Diani. The PSG forward, who can play across the front line, will need to support the returning Eugenie Le Sommer, France’s record goalscorer. Le Sommer is an experienced member of the squad, alongside the captain Wendie Renard, who is playing in her final World Cup. The coach It’s been quite the year for Herve Renard, who will be taking charge at his second World Cup. The mastermind of Saudi Arabia’s win against Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the men’s World Cup in Qatar, Renard will now lead France into the women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Renard looks to have united the France camp after drawing a line on the controversial regime of Corinne Diacre. What are their chances? Les Bleues have been badly hit by injuries and although there is depth in attack and defence, the midfield is looking a weaker area of the side. Hosts last time out, France have reached the quarter-finals at their last two World Cups and made the Euros semi-finals last summer. Quarter-finals may be a realistic aim this time around. Brazil Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Leticia Izidoro (Corinthians), Barbara (Flamengo), Camila (Santos). Defenders: Antonia (Levante), Bruninha (Gotham FC), Kathellen (Real Madrid), Lauren (Madrid CFF), Monica (Madrid CFF), Rafaelle (unattached), Tamires (Corinthians). Midfielders: Duda Sampaio (Corinthians), Kerolin (North Carolina Courage), Luana (Corinthians), Adriana (Orlando Pride), Ana Vitoria (unattached), Ary Borges (Louisville City). Forwards: Andressa Alves (unattached), Geyse (Barcelona), Nycole (Benfica), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Debinha (Kansas City Current), Gabi Nunes (unattached), Marta (Orlando Pride). Group fixtures (all times BST) Monday 24 July: Brazil vs Panama (12:00, Adelaide) Saturday 29 July: France vs Brazil (11:00, Brisbane) Wednesday 2 August: Jamaica vs Brazil (11:00, Melbourne) One to watch Brazil legend Marta is on the verge of history and could become the first player to score at six World Cups, men’s or women’s - with Canada’s Christine Sinclair also attempting to achieve the feat. But while Marta is very much the leader and inspiration in the Brazil team, keep an eye on the Barcelona forward Geyse, who troubled England in April with her quick turning and dribbling. Geyse has been linked with a move to the WSL and Manchester United in recent weeks. The coach Pia Sundhage has a long history with the World Cup. The Swede played at the first ever women’s World Cup in 1991, finishing third with Sweden, before leading the United States to the final as manager in 2011 (Sundhage also won two Olympic golds with the USA as coach). Now in charge of Brazil, Sundhage has attempted to bring a more pragmatic approach to traditional Brazilian flair, and wants her team to be defensively solid before striking their opponents on the counter-attack. What are their chances? Brazil warmed up for the World Cup by taking England to penalties in the Finalissima and beating Germany in April, so there is a sense of optimism developing that they could finally return to the latter stages of the tournament. Brazil have appeared at every women’s World Cup but have yet to reach the semi-finals since finishing as runners-up in 2007. The Selecao have been knocked out in the last-16 two World Cups in a row but they can go much further this time around. Jamaica Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Rebecca Spencer (Tottenham), Sydney Schneider (Sparta Prague), Liya Brooks (Hawaii Surf) Defenders: Allyson Swaby (Paris St-Germain), Chantelle Swaby (FC Fluery 91), Konya Plummer (unattached), Deneisha Blackwood (GPSO 92 Issy), Satara Murray (Racing Louisville), Vyan Sampson (Hearts), Tiernny Wiltshire (unattached) Midfielders: Peyton McNamara (Ohio State), Drew Spence (Tottenham), Trudi Carter (Levante), Solai Washington (Concorde Fire), Atlanta Primus (London City Lionesses), Havana Solaun (Houston Dash) Forwards: Khadija Shaw (Manchester City), Jody Brown (Florida State), Tiffany Cameron (ETO FC Gyor), Kameron Simmonds (University of Tennessee), Paige Bailey-Gayle (Crystal Palace), Kiki Van Zanten (Notre Dame), Cheyna Matthews (Chicago Red Stars), Kayla McKenna (Rangers). Group fixtures (all times BST) Saturday 23 July: France vs Jamaica (11:00, Sydney) Saturday 29 July: Panama vs Jamaica (13:30, Perth) Wednesday 2 August: Jamaica vs Brazil (11:00, Melbourne) Star player Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scored 20 goals in 22 appearances in the Women’s Super League last season, second only to England’s Rachel Daly, and the Manchester City striker is a shining light in the Jamaica team. Shaw thrives on the responsibility. She is Jamaica’s record scorer, men’s or women’s, and her goals secured qualification to a second consecutive World Cup. The 26-year-old has the firepower to trouble France and Brazil. The coach Lorne Donaldson was involved in Jamaica’s 2019 World Cup campaign and said he had to be convinced to return in 2022. “It’s a tough group,” he told Fifa of Jamaica’s draw. “But that’s why stories are written. People go in and try to change the narrative and a great story comes out of it.” What are their chances? Jamaica’s build-up has been arduous once again. In 2019, the team’s journey to the World Cup represented an incredible story, with Cedella Marley, the daughter of Bob Marley, helping to organise crowd-funding efforts to relaunch the disbanded Jamaica women’s team five years earlier. That historic qualification has unfortunately made little impact to those in power, with the ‘Reggae Girlz’ once again relying on crowd-funding help to cover costs. Players have been critical of the Jamaica Football Federation for a lack of support or even recognition. “Our questions go unanswered and our concerns unresolved,” a statement from the players last month said. Panama Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Yenith Bailey (Tauro), Farissa Cordoba (Nanas), Sasha Fabrega (Independiente) Defenders: Carina Baltrip Reyes (Maritimo), Katherine Castillo (Tauro), Rebeca Espinosa (Sporting SM), Hilary Jaen (Jones College), Wendy Natis (America de Cali), Yomira Pinzon (Saprissa), Nicole de Obaldia (Herediano), Rosario Vargas (Rayo Vallecano) Midfielders: Laurie Batista (Tauro), Emily Cedeno (Tauro), Marta Cox (Pachuca), Schiandra Gonzalez (Tauro), Erika Hernandez (Plaza Amador), Natalia Mills (Alajuelense), Carmen Montenegro (Sporting SM), Aldrith Quintero (Alhama), Deysire Salazar (Tauro) Forwards: Lineth Cedeno (Sporting SM), Karla Riley (Sporting), Riley Tanner (Washington Spirit). Group fixtures (all times BST) Monday 24 July: Brazil vs Panama (12:00, Adelaide) Saturday 29 July: Panama vs Jamaica (13:30, Perth) Wednesday 2 August: Panama vs France (11:00, Sydney) Key player Marta Cox is the captain of the side and stands as the inspirational force behind Panama’s qualification for the World Cup. The 25-year-old midfielder dedicated Panama’s victory against Paraguay in the inter-continental qualifiers to her late mother, who had passed away nine months earlier. The coach Panama are led by the Mexican coach Ignacio Quintana, whose ambition has underpinned Panama’s success since taking charge in 2021. "Every day, every training session and every game is a unique opportunity to grow, and it’s one we are not going to waste,” he said. What are their chances? Panama have landed in a very tricky group and face opponents in France and Brazil who will be determined to go far. Recent results show how challenging progress to the knockouts will be, following a 7-0 defeat to Spain and a 5-0 loss to Japan. Read More The inspiration behind Australia’s shot at home World Cup glory Who are the threats to the Lionesses at the Women’s World Cup? Can Spain regroup from mutiny to challenge for the Women’s World Cup? ‘Empowered’ England won’t be distracted by bonus row, Lucy Bronze insists Germany and Alexandra Popp are out for revenge - the World Cup is the perfect chance Can Sweden turn heartbreak into Women’s World Cup history?

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