Attention is falling on the last-minute deals that may go through as the Saudi Pro League summer transfer window inches toward its close. This window hasn’t seen the unprecedented activity of last summer, but it does boast a number of high-profile transfers nonetheless. With one day remaining before the deadline, clubs are hastening to put the final touches on their squads, with all eyes falling on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
French winger Moussa Diaby signed for Al Ittihad from Aston Villa in the biggest deal so far in the SPL for a reported €60 million. Another big name to have shifted away is that of Ivan Toney, the England striker who moved to Al Ahli in a reported deal worth €40 million. Also, the French defender Kurt Zouma and Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo transferred from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia, with Zouma on loan to Al-Orobah from West Ham, while Cancelo signed for Al Hilal from Manchester City in a €25 m deal.
Other notable signings include Algeria international midfielder Houssem Aouar, who has joined Al Ittihad from Roma, and former Arsenal and Real Madrid captains Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nacho Fernandez, who have signed up with newly promoted Al Qadsiah. With the final day of the transfer window upon them, there is still time for more big moves-this time with Victor Osimhen at the centre of some furious speculation.
Osimhen was set to join Al Ahli after the Jeddah club reportedly had an €80 million bid accepted by Napoli on Friday, the last day of the European transfer window. However, the talks reportedly broke down when Napoli allegedly tried to jack up the fee by another €5 million after the initial agreement had been reached. He had also been in negotiations with Chelsea but eventually declined their offer since it was far below what Al Ahli offered.
Finally, Al Ahli returned to Toney and completed his signing quickly since their quota for foreign players was full, and with budget constraints forbidding them from signing both Toney and Osimhen. Osimhen remains at Napoli but has not been registered in their Serie A squad and has lost his No 9 jersey to new signing Romelu Lukaku. It leaves one of world football’s best strikers in limbo and his move to Saudi Arabia, particularly to one of the big clubs, in serious doubt.
Reigning champions Al Hilal appear content with their current crop of foreigners, for now anyway, as Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to find the back of the net just as he has since his move from Fulham last summer. The Riyadh club is reportedly in pursuit of Benfica forward Marcos Leonardo, a 21-year-old Brazilian who would be registered as one of their two Under-23 players.
While Al Nassr could still pull off one of the window’s big deals after reportedly having a €45m bid accepted by RB Leipzig for French defender Mohamed Simakan. A 24-year-old centre-back currently undergoing a medical ahead of completing the transfer. Cristiano Ronaldo’s club have already secured the transfer for 19-year-old Brazilian forward Wesley Gasova.
Another deadline-day move that could reportedly see former Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling move from Roma to Al Fahya. With a few hours left before the transfer window closes, we can only wait and see if Victor Osimhen completes the move or stays in limbo.
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