Is Pablo Mari set to feature in the Riyadh derby?
Reports have shed light on whether Spanish defender Pablo Mari of Fiorentina will participate in the Riyadh derby between Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
Earlier, Italian coach Simone Inzaghi appeared keen to rely on Mari after signing him, for the Monday clash against Al Nassr in the 15th round of the Roshen Saudi League.
However, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano ended that speculation by confirming the defender will undergo medical tests within 48 hours, paving the way for an official move to Al Hilal.
What this means for the derby
As a result, Mari will not train with Al Hilal before the derby against Al Nassr, effectively ruling him out of the match.
Romano also stated on his X account that the deal could total around two million riyals, including add-ons, after Fiorentina agreed to finalize the move.
The 33-year-old has appeared 11 times for Fiorentina this season in Serie A, plus five more in the Europa Conference League.
With the transfer still in the works, all eyes will be on whether the paperwork clears in time for the official confirmation.
Punchline: If he signs, the only thing hotter than the derby will be the transfer rumors—talk about a spicy deadline day.
Punchline 2: If medicals take 48 hours, the clock on this move is longer than most stoppage time—some dads take longer to reply to texts.
