Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino is the next player to leave the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League. The 31-year-old attacker makes the transfer to Al-Ahli on a free transfer.
Firmino follows Mendy and opts for a lucrative offer in Saudi Arabia
Bobby ran out of his contract with Liverpool this summer, which the Brazilian took over from 1899 Hoffenheim for 41 million euros eight years ago. Firmino became one of the supporting forces of The Reds and eventually came to 362 games and 111 goals in the shirt of Liverpool.
At his new employer in Saudi Arabia, Firmino encounters Hicham Faik and Édouard Mendy (ex-Chelsea), among others. With the arrival of Cody Gakpo, Liverpool already anticipated the departure of Firmino last winter.
Thiago rejects lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Thiago Alcântara is not yet planning to respond to interest from Saudi Arabia. The Athletic reports that the 32-year-old Liverpool midfielder has turned down a proposal.
Thiago is one of the top European players who is high on the wish list of the Saudis. The 46-time Spanish international could follow the example of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, among others, by opting for an adventure in the oil state, but does not seem to have an appetite for it yet. The playmaker’s contract at Anfield only runs for one year, so no huge transfer fee will be required.
According to sources, Liverpool want Thiago to simply serve out his contract. Jürgen Klopp faces an interesting preparation period. The German manager can start tinkering with the midfield now that the squad has been strengthened with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. The acquisitions came over from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig respectively.
Ziyech pokes fun at alleged knee problems
Talking about failed moves to the Saudi Pro League, Hakim Ziyech has poked fun at alleged knee problems that would have led to his move to Al-Nassr falling through. The former Ajax player made himself heard via Instagram.
Ziyech seemed to be on his way to Al-Nassr, but he would not have passed the inspection due to alleged knee problems. Although the Moroccan journalist Izem Anass later came up with other causes – he was able to report that there was a difference of opinion about certain conditions in the contract – Ziyech did return to the news via Instagram. He posted a photo in his Stories with the text: “Knee problems right??”, accompanied by a laughing emoticon. According to Ziyech himself, there is not much wrong.
