Newcastle United Star Allan Saint-Maximin has officially joined cash-rich Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. The French winger signed a three-year deal with Al-Ahli after leaving Newcastle United, which is owned by Saudi Arabia backers. The financial details of the transfer were not disclosed, but reports from England suggest that the deal is worth around £30 million.
Al-Ahli expressed their excitement about the signing on social media, stating, We pick the best, and he’s one of them. Allan Saint-Maximin is highly regarded in the football world for his skill and attacking prowess. During his time at Newcastle United, the 26-year-old made 124 appearances and scored 13 goals since joining from Nice in 2019.
Saint-Maximin’s move to Al-Ahli makes him the latest addition to the growing list of high-profile players who have joined the Saudi Pro League. This list includes renowned names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Karim Benzema, and Jordan Henderson.
The attraction of the Saudi Pro League for these players can be attributed to the financial power of the Gulf kingdom’s clubs. With huge investments and the ability to offer lucrative contracts, Saudi Arabian teams have become increasingly appealing destinations for top-level footballers.
In other transfer news, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is closing in on the signing of Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele. After months of speculation, the deal is reportedly nearing a positive conclusion, with Dembele giving it the green light. PSG triggered Dembele’s release clause of €50 million earlier this week. The French international’s contract with Barcelona expires in June 2024.
With the departure of Lionel Messi and the potential exit of Kylian Mbappe, PSG has been actively strengthening its attacking options. The addition of Dembele, alongside Marco Asensio and Lee Kang-In, will provide PSG with valuable attacking firepower under the management of newly appointed coach Luis Enrique.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has secured an agreement to sign Axel Disasi from Monaco for €45 million. The 25-year-old defender will bolster Chelsea’s options at right back following Wesley Fofana’s injury, which will keep him sidelined for several months after undergoing ACL surgery.
Disasi, who has played 118 games for Monaco, is set to become Chelsea’s third signing of the summer, joining Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku at Stamford Bridge. The London-based club has seen several departures this transfer window, trimming down their squad significantly.
In the world of football transfer gossip, Arsenal is considering a move for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya. Bayern Munich is also interested, but their initial loan deal proposal was rejected.
Chelsea, on the other hand, is reportedly attempting a cash-plus-player offer to bring Kylian Mbappe to Stamford Bridge, reuniting him with former manager Mauricio Pochettino. PSG is expecting a late offer from Real Madrid, which they consider to be extremely low and insulting.
Additionally, Al-Ahli is targeting Fiorentina and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is also believed to be a target for Manchester United. Sadio Mane is expected to undergo a medical with Al Nassr after the Saudi Arabian club agreed to a £24 million deal to sign him from Bayern Munich.
Lastly, former Liverpool and Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has agreed to terminate his contract with Gremio in Brazil in December. Inter Miami is reportedly keen on signing the 36-year-old Uruguayan when he becomes available.
With numerous high-profile transfers and rumors circulating in the football world, fans are eagerly anticipating how these moves will impact their favorite teams and competitions. The transfer window continues to provide excitement and anticipation as clubs strive to strengthen their squads ahead of the upcoming season.
