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Topics: Chelsea, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cristiano Ronaldo
Josh Lawless
Topics: Chelsea, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cristiano Ronaldo
Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly is the subject of an unusual approach from Saudi Arabia, who want to make him the next high-profile addition to the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in Al Nassr, where he is said to earn a reported £175-million-a-year, put football in the kingdom on the app.
Karim Benzema has since signed for SPL winners Al Ittihad in an outrageous £173-million-a-year switch and Saudi's Public Investment Fund, which has a 80 per cent stake in Newcastle, are believed to be targeting a number of stars playing at the top level in the Europe.
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And Sports Zone, via Get French Football News, say that Koulibaly is at the top of their wishlist.
Koulibaly only joined Chelsea in the summer in a £33 million move from Napoli, penning a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
He struggled in his first season and the Senegalese international could be heading for an early exit, with reports stating he will be allowed to leave the Blues.
And there is a concrete offer from Saudi, specifically the PIF. In a strange situation, it's said the PIF want Kouliably to join champions Al Ittihad and play under former Spurs and Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
However, they are also content with letting him join any other Saudi side - providing a deal can be done with Chelsea.
Koulibaly is still contracted until 2026 and so unlike with Ronaldo and Benzema, a transfer fee would be required as opposed to the player arriving on a free.
Another Chelsea star could soon be playing in the Middle East, with midfielder N'Golo Kante widely expected to link up with compatriot Benzema at Al Ittihad this summer.
Elsewhere, there are reports that a huge managerial appointment may well be on the cards as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has apparently received an offer from Saudi side Al Ettifaq.
Gerrard has been out of work since October, when he was sacked by Aston Villa after a dire run of form left them in the relegation zone.