Al-Hilal Approaches Signing Young French Goalkeeper Batouillet

Al-Hilal Club is nearing the conclusion of its contract with French goalkeeper Mathieu Batouillet, coming from Olympique Lyon, during the current summer transfer window, in a deal described as smart due to its financial value and the promising nature of the player.

According to the French newspaper L'Équipe, the deal will cost Al-Hilal around 350,000 euros only, with a clause allowing Lyon to receive 20% of any future resale, after negotiations that lasted several weeks ended with the player agreeing to the transfer.

Batouillet, born in 2004, progressed through the famous Lyon academy before having a successful loan experience with Sochaux in the 2023-2024 season, where he participated in 65 matches, keeping a clean sheet in 22 of them, while conceding 70 goals.

The young French goalkeeper has proven his ability to establish himself as a starter despite his young age, thanks to his quick reflexes and skill in handling one-on-one situations, which has attracted the attention of several local and European clubs before Al-Hilal's offer.

Batouillet has also represented French national teams at various age levels and was part of the under-20 national team in the latest international gatherings, confirming his status as one of the most promising French goalkeepers currently on the scene.

According to reports, clubs from the Belgian league and French Ligue 2 were closely monitoring him, but Al-Hilal acted quickly and finalized the agreement before competitors could seriously enter the race, securing an investment deal for the future of their goalkeeping position.

The signing of Batouillet is seen as a proactive step to compensate for the absence of Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who will participate with his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for the end of December.