Five players who could move to Saudi Arabia TODAY

Cameron Smith

Updated: 2 Sept 2024 09:21 BST
4 min read

The Saudi Pro League transfer window will close at 22:00 BST on Monday 2 September, meaning clubs face a race against time to finalise their business.

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While a number of high-profile transfers have taken place this summer - including the captures of Moussa Diaby, Ivan Toney and Joao Cancelo - Saudi Arabia haven’t been able to build on their incredible 2023 summer transfer window.

The likes of Neymar, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane all jumped at the chance to join the richest division in football last year, but the allure of Saudi Arabia has seemingly diminished in 2024.

However, a number of European stars could still make the switch on Saudi Pro League Deadline Day.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through five players who could move to Saudi Arabia today.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Antonio Conte has confirmed that Victor Osimhen will not be re-integrated into the Napoli first-team, despite his failure to seal a summer move to Arsenal, Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea was deemed his most likely destination during the final few days of the window, but the Blues were unable to reach an agreement with either Napoli or the player.

As a result, Osimhen remains in Italy and he will reportedly not feature for the club ever again.

Therefore, the Nigerian must either seal a late move to Saudi Arabia, or face four months without playing football before the January transfer window opens.

© IMAGO - Victor Osimhen could join the Saudi Pro League

Casemiro (Man Utd)

“Leave the football before the football leaves you.”

Jamie Carragher once again echoed those words after Casemiro’s dismal performance against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilian was at fault for both of Luis Diaz’s first-half goals and he was hooked at half-time, with academy kid Toby Collyer coming on in his place.

With Manuel Ugarte now at Old Trafford, Casemiro’s poor form and historical interest from Saudi Arabia, an exit could well happen, even though it appears unlikely.

Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)

It has been widely reported that Ben Chilwell isn’t interested in moving to the Middle East, but a late transfer remains a possibility due to his status at Chelsea.

The former Blues vice-captain has been exiled by Enzo Maresca and faces the prospect of spending at least the next four months watching on from the sidelines.

© IMAGO - Ben Chilwell isn't fancied by Enzo Maresca

Furthermore, Chelsea will want Chilwell to leave because of his huge wages and the England international is reportedly in talks with multiple clubs.

With Marc Cucurella and Renato Veiga ahead of him in the pecking order, Chilwell could leave Stamford Bridge for the Saudi Pro League.

Chris Smalling (Roma)

Former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha.

The 34-year-old will leave AS Roma and sign a two-year contract with the Saudi Arabian outfit after spending the past five years in Serie A.

Smalling will undergo his Al-Fayha medical in Rome today ahead of completing a surprise switch to the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Roma are set to sign ex-Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso on a free transfer as Smalling’s replacement.

David Datro Fofana (Chelsea)

David Datro Fofana also remains in Chelsea’s Bomb Squad after he failed to complete a summer transfer away from Stamford Bridge.

© IMAGO - David Datro Fofana could still leave Chelsea

Everton were interested in a late move for the Ivorian, while Leicester City were linked earlier in the window, but he was unable to finalise an exit.

As a result, he must find a solution today or he will spend the next four months training with the rest of Chelsea’s unwanted stars.

Fabrizio Romano has even admitted that Fofana is still expected to leave Chelsea, with clubs in Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Netherlands all being explored as options.