Saudi Arabia’s head of football in London for talks with Chelsea over Hakim Ziyech, Édouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly

Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna is reporting that the Saudi Arabian government’s head of football is currently in London to negotiate with Chelsea over moves for Hakim Ziyech (30), Kalidou Koulibaly (31) and Édouard Mendy (31). 

As reported by Foot Mercato on Saturday, the Saudi Arabian top flight are looking to sign Mendy, and Al Ahli have already made contact with the player. The Saudi club could face competition from Ligue 1 with OGC Nice and AS Monaco also reportedly interested in bringing Chelsea’s shot-stopper back to France. 

Despite signing just last summer from Napoli, Koulibaly has also been heavily linked with a departure. Ziyech, who through bureaucratic mishandling missed out on a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain in January, is also expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. 

Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s club, want to sign the Moroccan forward, and have made an initial offer. Ziyech would be interested in the move. All three moves seem to be advancing with a Saudi official currently in London to discuss deals for all three players. 

Several Saudi clubs are also present to negotiate with players, and meetings with agents are scheduled to take place in London next week. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle