The Saudi Arabia league has managed to attract some very high-profile footballers in recent times, so will there be a new batch join during this summer’s transfer window?
The likes of N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy all left Chelsea last year to play in Saudi Arabia.
It’s now been claimed that an individual in Mauricio Pochettino’s current squad is being targeted.
Saudi Arabia interest in £52m Chelsea player
Journalist Simon Phillips has claimed on Tuesday afternoon via Substack that Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku is now being looked at by cash-rich clubs in Saudi Arabia.
It is explained that there’s potential interest in the 26-year-old Blues attacker as teams weigh up an approach.
However, Phillips adds that he’s been informed by sources that Nkunku to Saudi Arabia is seen as a “nonstarter” because Chelsea simply wouldn’t even entertain an approach for him at this stage.
We’re not overly surprised given the player’s on a lengthy deal that doesn’t expire until 2029.
Christopher Nkunku is massive for Chelsea
You certainly wouldn’t know it from Nkunku’s debut year at Stamford Bridge that he’s an integral part of the squad.
During a campaign that’s been wrecked by injury, the fast and skilful forward has only played 10 times across all competitions. Incidentally, he scored versus Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool for his first goals in English football.
Speaking via Sky Sports back in February, Raheem Sterling described the return to fitness of Nkunku as “massive” for Chelsea. Unfortunately for Nkunku, he’s had more injury problems since then.
He’s one of the few players in the squad with a track record of scoring a lot, netting 70 goals in 172 RB Leipzig matches before joining Chelsea for £52 million (BBC) last summer.
We’d like to insist the Frenchman’s given at least another year at the club to prove both his fitness and fantastic ability in attack.