Saudi Arabia and its Pro League are becoming more and more of a sponsor and a catchment area for retired old stars for Chelsea FC.
Former world goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is the third Blues player to follow the call of money into the desert within a few days and will be between the posts at Al-Ahli in the future.
According to speculation, the Saudis are transferring a transfer fee of more than 18 million euros to Stamford Bridge. The Senegal national goalkeeper’s contract ran until 2025. Al-Ahli tied the 31-year-old to himself for the next three years. Mendy is said to collect eleven million euros and up to three million euros in bonus payments during this time.
In front of the goalkeeper, who lost his regular place in London after the dismissal of German coach Thomas Tuchel (now Bayern Munich) last fall, were the former French world champion N’Golo Kante (free transfer to Al-Ittihad) and Mendy’s compatriot Kalidou Koulibaly (for 23 million euros to Al-Hilal) moved from the Thames to Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were also drawn to Saudi Arabia
The most spectacular transfer so far was the Saudis at the beginning of the year by signing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese ex-European champion had previously fallen out of favor with English record title winners Manchester United and been released from his contract.
French top striker Karim Benzema has already decided in favor of an offer from Al-Ittihad against the Spanish noble club Real Madrid.
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to win world champion Lionel Messi were in vain. Although the Argentine superstar is already acting as a tourism ambassador for the desert country, contrary to the expectations of many observers, Messi decided to continue his career in the USA with MLS club Inter Miami after his unpleasant departure from top French club Paris St. Germain.