Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has reportedly become the latest player to be handed the chance to move to the Saudi Pro League.
Throughout June, speculation has intensified regarding players moving to one of four clubs in Saudi Arabia that are partly funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli essentially have the spending power to have offer vast sums of money to the world's best players.
Champions Al-Ittihad have added N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema to their ranks, Hakim Ziyech is in line to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, and Kalidou Koulibaly joined Ruben Neves in signing for Al-Hilal on Sunday evening.
However, newly-promoted Al-Ahli are also in line to rival last season's top three, with Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on the brink of becoming their first marquee signing.
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More players are likely to follow the Senegal international - Manchester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez also being linked - but it appears that Al-Ahli also have another star name in their sights.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are underway with Firmino in a bid to acquire the services of the departing Liverpool attacker.
For a number of months, it has been known that the long-serving frontman has opted to take on a fresh challenge away from Anfield having chippied in with 111 goals from 362 appearances across an eight-year period.
Although the 31-year-old remains a valued member of Jurgen Klopp's squad last season, injuries and falling down the pecking order restricted his game time.
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Firmino is not short of admirers, however, with Real Madrid and Barcelona having both been credited with an interest at a time when they each require a new central-forward and could benefit from signing free agents.
Nevertheless, it is alleged that Firmino is giving serious consideration to moving to the Middle East, an opportunity which would give him the chance to become a key man in a team hoping to regain their former standing in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ahli were Saudi Pro League champions as recently as 2017-18 and they were a regular presence in the AFC Champions League up until the 2020-21 campaign.
In anticipation of agreeing terms with Firmino, a medical is already said to have been arranged in an effort to tie up a deal as soon as possible.
Darren Plant
