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Six Chelsea players linked with Saudi moves as Clearlake-Saudi PIF relationship highlighted

By Parth Jhaveri

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Behdad Eghbali, Co-Owner of Chelsea, walks with Todd Boehly, Chairman of Chelsea, as they make their way across the pitch after the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Behdad Eghbali, Co-Owner of Chelsea, walks with Todd Boehly, Chairman of Chelsea, as they make their way across the pitch after the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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It’s no secret that Chelsea are looking to offload players this summer. The Blues continue their squad overhaul this summer and while new signings are touted, player exits are also important. Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante will leave Stamford Bridge as a free agent and join Al Ittihad but some other Chelsea players are also expected to follow him to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabian Pro League is witnessing a revolution as Saudi Private Investment Fund (PIF) have bought 75% stake in four clubs – Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and Al Nassr. The Saudi PIF aims to bring some of the biggest names in the world of football to the Middle East.

They already have brought Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kante to Saudi Arabia and others are expected to follow soon. Some Chelsea players, who are no longer part of CFC’s plans could switch to a Saudi Pro League team, courtesy of Saudi PIF’s excellent relationship with Clearlake Capital, co-owners of Chelsea.

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech wanted by Saudi club Al Nassr

Kante’s move is finalized and only official announcement remains. Chelsea strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Romelu Lukaku were linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Aubameyang, who has spent just one season at Stamford Bridge, is looking to leave and could be handed a Saudi lifeline. Al Shabab and Al Ahli, both have shown their interest in signing the 33 year old. The Gabonese international has held talks with the Saudi PIF and could join one of the aforementioned clubs if an agreement is reached.

Lukaku, on the other hand, even flew to Saudi Arabia and meet the representatives of Al Hilal. The Saudi club were offering him a two year contract worth €50 million. It seems that Al Hilal are no longer in the conversation about signing Lukaku as the Belgian has his heart set on staying at Inter Milan.

Three more CFC players have been linked with a Saudi Pro League move. According to Fabrizio Romano, Al Nassr are advancing in their efforts to sign Hakim Ziyech. Negotiations are underway and the player is open to discussing a potential move. CFC are expecting final bids from Saudi clubs for Ziyech and Aubameyang soon.

Romano also reported about Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy. The CFC duo share the same agent, Fali Ramadani, who is expected to bring proposals from Saudi Arabia for both players in coming days. Koulibaly is also subject of interest for Inter Milan whereas Mendy is attracting the attention of French clubs.

In total, six CFC players have been linked with a move to Saudi. Of course, for now only Kante’s move is confirmed but others could follow soon. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Clearlake and PIF have excellent relationship and PIF are very active in targeting players from Europe on the behalf of Al Ahli, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Hilal. The Blues see this as an opportunity to get rid of some unwanted players and PIF too have CFC players on their wish list.

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