Manchester City would expect £100m for Kevin De Bruyne this summer, but the Belgian hasn’t agreed personal terms with Al-Ittihad despite reports suggesting he has according to Ben Jacobs.

It’s been a quiet summer so far for the English Champions with Brazilian winger Savio the only arrival at the club, but there’s expected to be more activity on both incomings and outgoings as the new season draws closer.

De Bruyne is into the last year of his contract at the Etihad and he’s believed to be a long term target for the Saudi Pro League as they continue their recruitment drive this summer.

De Bruyne not close to Saudi move

The 33-year-old has been at Manchester City since 2015 after he joined from German side Wolfsburg and he’s gone on to establish himself as one of the greatest players in Premier League history.

It’s no secret that the Saudo Pro League are keen to recruit the Belgium international but reports that he’s agreed terms with Al-Ittihad are thought to be wide of the mark.

Jacobs has moved to clarify the situation by reporting that De Bruyne isn’t close to a move to Saudi and that City would expect £100m to part ways this summer.

He took to X.com and said:

“Kevin De Bruyne is not currently close to Al-Ittihad and hasn’t agreed to any Saudi move yet, as reported for @talkSPORT.

“KDB a long-standing Saudi target, but dealmakers know #MCFC would expect £100m this summer.”

Kevin De Bruyne is not currently close to Al-Ittihad and hasn't agreed to any Saudi move yet, as reported for @talkSPORT.

KDB a long-standing Saudi target, but dealmakers know #MCFC would expect £100m this summer.

Ittihad closing in on Moussa Diaby, who is expected to sign a… pic.twitter.com/Dgc8Yz8GDU

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 21, 2024

TalkSPORT add that Saudi dealmakers would be prepared to wait until De Bruyne’s contract expires in 2025 to make a move.

The City legend has previously spoken of being open to a move to Saudi and didn’t shy away from talking about the vast finances on offer.

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De Bruyne’s team-mate Ederson could be making the move to Saudi this summer with Al-Ittihad in talks with City over a move for the Brazilian.

The move has been described as difficult with City said to want €50m-€60m for Ederson, who is thought to still be keen on a move to Saudi after agreeing terms with Al-Nassr before the deal collapsed.

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Saudi side Al-Ittihad are pushing to sign Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Diaby arrived at Villa Park in a club record deal worth up to £52m last from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and played a key role as Unai Emery’s side secured a top four finish.

Villa have been busy in the market so far as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season.

Al-Ittihad pushing to sign Diaby

Diaby had the opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League last summer, but it appears after just one season at Villa Park he could be set to make the switch.

The 25-year-old made 54 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring ten goals and proving nine assists.

Jacobs has reported that Al-Ittihad are now pushing to sign the Frenchman and they have offered him a salary of close to €15m with bonuses.

He took to X.com and said:

“Al-Ittihad pushing to sign Moussa Diaby, Diaby offered a salary of close to €15m with bonuses.

“Fee not yet agreed, but Ittihad offer closer to Villa’s €70m+ valuation, structure of the deal key. 

“Diaby wasn’t in the squad for Walsall friendly.”

Al-Ittihad pushing to sign Moussa Diaby.??
– Diaby offered a salary of close to €15m with bonuses
– Fee not yet agreed, but Ittihad offer closer to Villa's €70m+ valuation
– Structure of the deal key
– Diaby wasn't in the squad for Walsall friendlyhttps://t.co/MXrRLAOZv3

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 17, 2024

Jacobs adds that Diaby is still part of Emery’s plans but the club would sanction a sale if the money on offer was to good to turn down.

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If Diaby does leave, Villa already have options to replace him having signed wingers Jaden Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior, and the potentially lucrative transfer fee could be used to help pay for Amadou Onana who is close to completing his £50m move from Everton, or improve other areas of the squad.

Al-Ittihad have recently appointed former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc as their new manager, and if Diaby does complete his move to the club he will be playing with the likes of N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema.

The post Al-Ittihad pushing to complete deal for Aston Villa’s club record signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Saudi side Al-Ittihad have sent an official offer to Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and are waiting for a response from the Spaniard according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

It’s been a busy summer at Stamford Bridge with six new faces arriving at the club, but the Blues are reportedly still in the market for a winger and a striker.

Chelsea are also desperate to offload a number of players, and having already sold Ian Maatsen and Omari Hutchinson, the club are hoping they will be able to move on Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku.

Kepa receives offer from Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad had an initial offer for the 29-year-old rejected earlier this month, but reports have suggested the club are still in talks with Chelsea over a possible move.

The Spaniard has returned to pre-season training with the Blues, but is believed to be training away from the first team squad whilst his future is sorted.

Galetti has reported that Al-Ittihad have sent the goalkeeper an official offer of a long term contract worth €7m per year.

He took to X.com and said:

“#AlIttihad sent an official bid to #Kepa: a long-term contract with a salary set at €7m/y.

“The club is waiting for a response from the GK. Talks are always underway also with #Chelsea, who consider him out of the plans: contacts with PIF will continue.”

?? #AlIttihad sent an official bid to #Kepa: a long-term contract with a salary set at €7m/y. ??

? The ?? club is waiting for a response from the ?? GK.

?? Talks are always underway also with #Chelsea, who consider him out of the plans: contacts with PIF will continue. pic.twitter.com/DYxx3dwFma

— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) July 16, 2024

Arrizabalaga spent last season on loan at Real Madrid where he made 20 appearances in all competitions and won La Liga and the Champions League.

Reports have suggested that a return to Madrid isn’t completely off the table given Andriy Lunin has yet to sign a new deal with his current one expiring in 2025.

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Chelsea made Arrizabalaga the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when they paid Athletic Bilbao £71.6m back in 2018 and he’s gone on to make 163 appearances for the club.

The keeper is in the final year of his contract and has almost certainly played his last game for the club, with Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic set to battle it out to be Enzo Maresca’s first choice next season.

The post Al-Ittihad send official offer to unwanted Chelsea star ahead of proposed move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Al-Ittihad are in advanced talks with Aston Villa over a move for Moussa Diaby, with the Saudi side optimistic of getting a deal done according to reports. 

Diaby joined Villa last summer in a club record deal from Bayer Leverkusen reportedly worth an initial £43m.

The 25-year-old made 54 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists as Unai Emery’s side qualified for the Champions League.

Diaby to swap Villa for Al-Ittihad

After just one season in the Premier League it appears Diaby could be set for a move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad.

The Frenchman had the opportunity to go to Saudi last summer but chose a move to Villa instead, and is reportedly keen on making the switch this summer.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has reported talks between the two clubs are at an advanced stage and the package being discussed is more than €55m.

He took to X.com and said:

“Al-Ittihad are in advanced talks with Aston Villa for Moussa Diaby. Even though Villa’s starting point was not to sell, understand the package discussed is actually higher than €55m. Ittihad are cautiously optimistic.

“Villa won’t sell at €55m or close. The overall package would need to be €70m+, which is not far off what Al-Hilal paid for Neymar. If Diaby departs, it will be very good money for Villa.”

Al-Ittihad are in advanced talks with Aston Villa for Moussa Diaby. Even though Villa's starting point was not to sell, understand the package discussed is actually higher than €55m. Ittihad are cautiously optimistic.?? pic.twitter.com/eTkFEBKSD2

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 16, 2024

Aston Villa have been busy in the transfer market and have made a number of signings to strengthen their squad ahead of Champions League football next season.

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The likes of Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley have joined the club, whilst Amadou Onana is close to completing his move from Everton, with Jaden Philogene also close to completing his return to the club from Hull City.

If Diaby does depart, Villa have plenty of other options including Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior who could fill the void, but any transfer fee is likely to be reinvested into the squad to give the club the best possible chance of dealing with Champions League football.

The post Aston Villa’s club record signing in advanced talks to leave the club a year after joining appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea have rejected an offer from Saudi side Al-Ittihad for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Arrizabalaga spent last season on loan at Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances in all competitions and won La Liga and the Champions League.

The 29-year-old has returned to Chelsea this summer with just one year remaining on his contract, with the Blues eager to find a new home for the Spaniard.

Chelsea turn down Al-Ittihad offer for Kepa

Ornstein has reported that Chelsea have turned down an initial offer from the Saudi side, but talks are continuing with Al-Ittihad and other interested parties.

It had previously been reported that Real Madrid could still be an option for Arrizabalaga, with Andriy Lunin’s contract renewal still not sorted.

The Daily Mail have reported that the goalkeeper has returned to pre-season training with Chelsea, but he’s training away from the first team as the club try and sort out a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The Blues made Arrizabalaga the most expensive goalkeeper in the world back in 2018 when they signed him for £71.6m from Spanish side Athletic Bilbao as a replacement for Thibaut Courtois.

The Spain international has made 163 appearances for the west London club, and has won the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues.

Chelsea signed Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic last summer, and reports have indicated new boss Enzo Maresca will start with the former Brighton man as his number one next season.

Petrovic impressed last season when he came into the side for the injured Sanchez and kept his place even when the Spaniard returned to fitness.

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Chelsea have been busy this summer and have made six signings already, with Renato Veiga completing his €14m move from FC Basel on Friday.

It’s a big season for Chelsea as they need to get back into the Champions League having missed out for the last two seasons.

The post Chelsea reject offer from Al-Ittihad for world’s most expensive goalkeeper appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad are preparing another big money offer for Mohamed Salah according to reports.

Liverpool are entering a new era following the departure of Jurgen Klopp and subsequent appointment of Arne Slot, and there are question marks over the future of a number of key players.

The Reds will want to keep hold of as many of their key players as possible to make the transition following Klopp’s exit as smooth as possible.

Al-Ittihad preparing big money Salah move

Losing Salah would be a big blow for Liverpool given he’s been a reliable source of goals since he arrived from Roma back in 2017, and finding a replacement would be a tough task.

There was interest from Saudi last summer with dealmakers keen to make Salah the poster boy of the Saudi Pro League, but he ended up staying at Anfield.

Al-Ittihad are in the process of looking for a new manager with Marcelo Gallardo expected to depart the club imminently, meaning any transfer activity is likely to be put on hold until a new manager is in place.

However, Rudy Galetti states in his report for TEAMtalk that Salah would be the exception to this as Al-Ittihad look to add a new winger to their ranks with the Egyptian top of their list, and the Saudi’s are said to be preparing a new “monster offer.”

The Saudi side already boast the likes of Fabinho, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante in their squad, but they are looking to add more quality having finished a disappointing fifth in the league.

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TEAMtalk add that the pursuit of the Egypt international isn’t moving at the speed many at Al-Ittihad would like it to.

Salah scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions for Liverpool last season, and if the 32-year-old stays he will likely play a key role under Slot in the next campaign.

The post Al-Ittihad planning to return with huge offer for Mohamed Salah this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

After a 3-1 defeat to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final, Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia placed some blame on Cristiano Ronaldo for the loss.

The match, which took place at the King Fahd International Stadium, began with Romarinho striking the opener for Al Ittihad just 15 minutes into the game.

And just before half-time, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah doubled the lead for Al Ittihad.

In the second half, Anderson Talisca reduced the deficit for Al Nassr in the 67th minute, but Muhannad Al Shanqeeti sealed the win for Al Ittihad in stoppage time.

However, it was a missed opportunity by the new superstar signing Cristiano Ronaldo that Garcia believes to be a turning point in the match.

The ball was fizzed into Ronaldo from a cross and it looked like the Portuguese was going to open his account for Al Nassr, but his headed attempt was straight at goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, who made a fairly easy save to deny him.

Al Ittihad launched a quick counter-attack, but the ball was intercepted and ended up with Ronaldo on the left. However, the 37-year-old lost possession of the ball, and Hamdallah headed home the second from a Romarinho cross.

And after the match, Garcia brought up Ronaldo’s chance as a turning point in the game. He said:

“One of the things that changed the course of the match was Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed opportunity in the first half,” the former Roma and Lyon boss told reporters.

“I congratulate Al-Ittihad. They presented a much better first half than us, and we played a good second half, but unfortunately we were not able to adjust the result.”

To add insult to injury, the opposition supporters subjected Ronaldo to Lionel Messi chants.

It has not been the greatest start to Ronaldo’s career at the Saudi club. He is yet to score his first competitive goal for his new team and now the manager has publicly placed some blame on him for the cup defeat.

The post Al-Nassr manager blames Cristiano Ronaldo for Saudi Super cup defeat to rivals Al-Ittihad appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Lionel Messi is now wanted by two Saudi clubs according to the latest report.

They allegedly even want to pay the World Cup champion an astounding £306 million per year.

Ronaldo signed a £173m per year contract with Al-Nassr last month and became the highest-paid athlete ever, however, Messi may have aspirations to surpass this record.

Recently, it has been reported that Al-Hilal, a rival team of Al-Nassr, is willing to offer Messi a £245m per year contract to join them.

However, the most recent Marca report indicates that he may now receive a salary offer of up to £306 million annually. That amounts to a staggering £5.9m/week or £133m/year MORE than Ronaldo will make at Al-Nassr.

The report adds that Al-Hilal are interested in signing the Paris Saint-Germain forward, and Al-Ittihad have also entered the race to sign him.

Messi is now wanted by TWO Saudi clubs as race to sign him intensifies

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The post Lionel Messi now wanted by TWO Saudi clubs as a new whopping £306 million per year deal offered appeared first on CaughtOffside.