Flurry of transfer activity between Chelsea and Saudi clubs begins

In a flurry of transfer activity, Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal is reportedly edging closer to securing the signing of Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Multiple sources have indicated that a verbal agreement has been reached between the clubs, paving the way for the Senegalese center-back to make a move to the Middle East.

The negotiations have progressed swiftly, with personal terms already agreed upon for a three-year contract between Koulibaly and Al Hilal. The 30-year-old is expected to join Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves, whose transfer to Al Hilal has also been confirmed.

At present, the contracts between the parties are in the final stages of scrutiny before being officially signed. Once the paperwork is completed, Koulibaly will officially become a member of Al Hilal, marking a significant addition to their defensive lineup.

Meanwhile, Chelsea has reportedly reached a full verbal agreement with Saudi club Al Ahli for the sale of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The Senegalese shot-stopper has already agreed to personal terms on a three-year deal with Al Ahli, as previously revealed.

The necessary checks on the contracts are currently underway, and if all goes according to plan, Mendy will complete his move to Al Ahli.

These transfers are part of a broader exchange of players between Chelsea and Saudi clubs. The London-based club has reached verbal agreements on three deals with Saudi clubs, as disclosed today. Alongside Koulibaly’s move to Al Hilal and Mendy’s transfer to Al Ahli, Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech is set to join Al Nassr.

In light of these developments, meetings are scheduled to take place in London within the next 24 to 48 hours to finalize and review the contracts. The negotiations include discussions surrounding the future of Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose potential move may also be on the agenda.

The flurry of transfer activity involving Chelsea and Saudi clubs signifies a strengthening relationship between the parties and a continuation of the global nature of modern football transfers.

Fans and observers eagerly await official confirmations and announcements regarding these transfers, which promise to bring about significant changes in the respective squads involved.