Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have until the close of play today to boost their squads and there are continual rumours over the futures of current Premier League players regards a possible switch to that part of the world. Here, we are going to cover the biggest names that have been linked with making such a transfer, and if it realistically will happen before the window slams shut.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the start of the exodus of high-profile names to join the Saudi Pro League when signing for Al Nassr at the start of the year, but many more have since followed. Karim Benzema, Riyah Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Ruben Neves and Neymar are just a selection of those to now ply their trade in the league.
Transfer journalists all across the globe have been keeping their eyes on possible deals which may go through today and we have narrowed it down for four names where there is still a chance that may depart their respective clubs for the Saudi Pro League.
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Saudi Pro League transfer deadline rumour: Mo Salah
Mo Salah will be entered into search engines on a second-by-second basis over the course of the day, most likely from the Liverpool region as Reds fans are desperate to see their star man remain with the club. It has been well-documented that bids have been made for the Egyptian international, with The Sun reporting Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad tabled a world record offer, after seeing another price turned down beforehand.
Many have wondered what it would take for Liverpool to part way with the player. Every player has his price as they say, but the fact that they would be unable to replace him due to their transfer window closing for incomings means it is a non-starter in the eyes of Liverpool. Furthermore, manager Jurgen Klopp is desperate for him to say, and the club stance is that he is not for sale, and he told Sky Sports as much recently.
Sky Sports reports that the Saudi Pro League side are still considering the prospect of making a late bid for the 31-year-old, so it simply cannot be ruled out he leaves Liverpool today. It would though appear to be less likely, and maybe more realistic for next season and beyond.
Ekrem Konur, a global transfer expert, has himself claimed on his official Twitter account that Salah will remain a Liverpool player this year, despite being offered a big-money deal to move to the Saudi Pro League. Almost everything is indicating he will stay, but watch this space just in case!
Saudi Pro League transfer deadline rumour: Eric Dier
One possible Saudi Pro League move which has slowly but surely gathered some momentum in recent times revolves around Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier, who has fallen down the pecking order under new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou. He has one-year remaining on his contract with the Premier League club, and this week he held talks with chairman Daniel Levy to see what his options are, according to The Telegraph.
Dier was once one of the first names in Gareth Southgate's England squad, but having lost his place for his club, any chance of making the England squad any time soon appears slim, unless he plays more regularly. Having seen Jordan Henderson still be called up by Southgate for the upcoming internationals despite playing his football in Saudi Arabia, Dier may be open to such a move.
There have been murmurings of Dier making a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al Nassr heavily linked with him a few weeks ago, as per journalist Mohamed Alkaoud. Turkey is another option for the player should he look to get his career back on track. Should he indeed depart, it would be a move that suits all parties. It would be no great shock to see him leave Tottenham today.
Saudi Pro League transfer deadline rumour: Nayef Aguerd
One transfer rumour that also gathered pace earlier in the week saw the future of West Ham United defender Neyef Aguerd come under the spotlight. The Moroccan international has impressed since joining the Premier League side last year from French Ligue 1 side Rennes, but the financial rewards of moving to the Saudi Pro League is one clear possible attraction for the player.
West Ham would not be so keen to see the player move on, but every player does have his price. Sky Sports reported how Al Ittihad were keen on the player, in addition to Liverpool's Mo Salah. The Premier League club would only realistically accept an out of this world type of offer to even entertain letting the player go. Many Moroccan players now play in the Saudi Pro League, including Aguerd's international teammates Yassine Bounou and Romain Saiss, which may have opened his eyes.
Saudi Pro League transfer deadline rumour: Jadon Sancho
The future of Jadon Sancho took a rather dramatic turn last weekend after Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag left him out of the squad to face Premier League rivals Arsenal due to his poor performances in training. Sancho lashed out on social media afterwards, saying he felt like he was being ‘made a scapegoat' for some time, and is not pleased.
Sancho has not had the desired impact at Old Trafford, but the player also mentioned in his online statement of his desire to stay and fight for his place in the team. However, ten Hag may not have taken too kindly to being slammed publicly by one of his own players, and may as such inform the player he can move on.
A switch to the Saudi Pro League remains a possibility due to interest from that part of the world in the player from one unnamed club in particularly, according to journalist Rudy Galetti. Whether the player himself would necessarily want that move is another matter, and a switch to Turkey, where the transfer deadline remains open for another week, is a different possible transfer destination for the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger.
