The agency "Smartalent," representing French defender Joan Gado from Austrian team Salzburg, announced that Saudi Al-Hilal is interested in signing the player during the current summer transfer window.

The agency stated in a special comment: "Al-Hilal is interested in Gado, but we cannot disclose additional details at this time, and the situation will become clearer in the coming hours."

Previous media reports, including the Italian newspaper "Firenze Viola," indicated that Al-Hilal has been monitoring the young Frenchman, who is 18 years old, to strengthen the blue team's defense this summer.

It is worth mentioning that Gado, of Ivorian descent, began his football career at the Paris Saint-Germain academy before moving to Salzburg last summer, where he became a key player in the team's lineup.

The player played 33 matches across various competitions last season under the guidance of German coach Thomas Letsch, showcasing his defensive abilities in the Austrian league and European competitions.

It is noted that Gado previously faced Al-Hilal in the recently held FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where the match between the two teams ended in a goalless draw, allowing Al-Hilal to closely monitor his performance.