Saudi Pro League Eyeing Up Richarlison and Sancho in January Transfer Window
Key Highlights :
As the football world approaches another transfer window, the Saudi Arabian Pro League appear to be considering where they want to spend their endless amounts of money next. Reports suggest that the Middle Eastern division are targeting Everton's Richarlison and Manchester United's Jadon Sancho, following Liverpool's Mohamed Salah's decision to reject their lucrative approach in the summer.
Salah has since gone on to contribute an impressive 10 goals and four assists in 12 games this season, and with the January transfer window looming, the Saudi Pro League appear to have their eye on another Premier League raid. According to The Telegraph, Salah and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min are the controversial league's aspirational targets. However, Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly understand the chances of prising the two stars away from Liverpool and Spurs respectively in the January transfer window will be slim.
Therefore, they are believed to be eying up moves for Sancho, who is currently banished by United, and Richarlison, who has struggled since he moved to Spurs from Everton. Sancho fell out with Erik ten Hag after the Red Devils' forward effectively accused the United boss of lying, when the Dutchman said the ex-England international's performances in training were the reason he was omitted from the United squad for the club's 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace in September.
Saudi also showed an interest in both of the struggling forwards in September, but neither player nor club were interested. Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq were believed to be among the clubs keen on Sancho, while Al-Ittihad were the ones who were interested in Richarlison. While Sancho is out of the United picture, Richarlison is currently on the sidelines having undergone surgery on his groin. But with Son operating through the middle for Ange Postecoglou, and summer signing Brennan Johnson being preferred on the wing ahead of Richarlison in Spurs' 4-1 home loss to Manchester City, there were signs the Brazilian's future was set for the bench before his operation.
Meanwhile, Son recently revealed he turned down an approach to move to Saudi Arabia, but also said the Middle Eastern recruitment drive was "really, really interesting." The Telegraph also understand Tottenham have an option to extend his deal by one year, committing him to the club until 2026. Moreover, there is also little chance Liverpool will consider any approaches for Salah in January, having rejected world record bids at the end of the summer transfer window.
With the January transfer window fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Saudi Pro League as they look to make their next big-money move. Whether it be Richarlison or Sancho, or another Premier League star, the Middle Eastern division will be looking to make a statement with their latest acquisition.
