Sancho is top Saudi Pro League target as Salah transfer stance made clear

Robin Bairner

Updated: 13 Nov 2023 12:32 GMT
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Jadon Sancho, Man Utd — © ProShots

Jadon Sancho of Manchester United and Tottenham striker Richarlison top the shortlist of Premier League stars that the Saudi Pro League is set to approach during the January transfer window, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah expected to be out of reach for now.

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Over the course of the summer, the Saudi top flight shook world football with a succession of high-profile acquisitions, including 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Liverpool legends Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Neymar, who became the league’s most expensive player when he left PSG for Al-Hilal.

While these deals were pushed through, a succession of moves were unsuccessful, including a bid for Kylian Mbappe and, perhaps more pertinently, Salah, who emerged as the leading target due to his celebrity status in the Arab world.

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The Telegraph hints that the Liverpool hitman may be approached in January again but that there is no degree of confidence that a deal will be done. Similarly, Tottenham’s Son Heung-min is likely to be out of reach, with an option to extend the South Korean’s contract set to be taken by Spurs.

But with these players out of reach the Saudi Pro League has two high-profile players who could feature.

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© ProShots - Jadon Sancho: out of favour at Man Utd after Ten Hag bust up

Sancho and Richarlison to Saudi?

Sancho and Richarlison are both likely targets for the Saudi Pro League this January, according to the Telegraph, which indicates that financing options for these players are being examined.

Both players were targeted towards the end of the summer transfer window, and both could be moved on in this coming period.

Sancho, in particular, appears ripe for a move given his exiled status as Man Utd, where his relationship with manager Erik ten Hag has completely broken down.

Although he was approached in the summer and turned down a move, three months without first-team football may have helped to change his mind, particularly given a lack of credible alternatives in Europe.

© ProShots - Richarlison is having a tough season

Spurs, meanwhile, could be more reticent to see Richarlison leave given their lack of centre-forward options, but if they can draft in a replacement than the Brazilian could certainly be moved on.

While it is uncertain just who might leave the Premier League for Saudi Arabia in January, what is clear is that the big clubs will have to be vigilant over their star players.