5.75× the market's number: what Al-Hilal paid over Saïmon Bouabré's €4.0m valuation

Al-Hilal paid €23.0m for Saïmon Bouabré. The market value recorded against him at the time was €4.0m. The difference is €19.0m, and the ratio is 5.75×.

Of the 79 deals into the Saudi Pro League in 2025/26 where both a fee and a valuation are on record, 19 were done at a higher multiple than this one — 24% of them. That is what makes this price ordinary or unusual: its own league, its own season, not a feeling about the player.

A market value is the market's estimate, not a price tag, and a club paying above or below one is doing business, not making a mistake. What the gap measures is how far this club's read sat from the consensus — nothing about how the player performs next.

Transfer record, fees and market values: ACTUAL TRANSFER MARKET (actualtransfermarket.com). Analysis: ACTUAL SPORT INTELLIGENCE.