‘Chelsea and Premier League rivals handed transfer leverage by Saudi revival’
Chelsea and their rivals have received a major boost from the Middle East as they look to continue spending lavishly this summer.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that clubs will look to “push” their players towards the Saudi Pro League.
Saudi Arabian clubs caused a seismic shock to the transfer window in the summer of 2023, hoovering up talent from European clubs.
The Blues themselves cashed in by selling N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly to Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Hilal, respectively, before then selling Angelo Gabriel in 2024 to Al-Nassr.
However, trade between the two regions slowed massively this summer, as SPL clubs saw offers for Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Mohamed Salah rebuffed, and there were few signs of activity.
Saudi Arabian market reinvigorated in boost for Chelsea
This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
That was until a sudden uptick in activity led to Joao Felix’s Chelsea departure and Darwin Nunez‘s exit from Liverpool.
Plumley told Football Insider that the deals and interest from Al-Nassr in Bruno Fernandes suggested that the SPL was once again a viable option for clubs to cash in on their unwanted players.
He said: “The Saudi Arabian option gives clubs a bit of leverage.
“If you’ve got high-quality players, you might look to push them towards that market.
“We thought that the Saudi market’s gone a little bit quiet in recent months, but we are now talking about Joao Felix, we’re talking about Fernandes interest again. Darwin Nunez has just agreed a move there as well.
“Those are three examples of players there that still have a lot of life left in them, they have got good years ahead of them.
“I think it is going to be a viable strategy still for clubs to look to sell to that market.”
Chelsea look to cash in on Nicolas Jackson
The Blues have a bulging squad and the threat of financial sanctions looming over them, increasing their need to spend.
And whilst he is unlikely to be on his way to the Middle East, Nicolas Jackson could be leaving Chelsea this summer, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
The Senegalese striker has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge after a poor end to the season, and a couple of questionable red cards.
Newcastle currently lead the race to sign Jackson after they missed out on targets Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike.