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Days After Signing for Karim Benzema’s Team, $30,000,000 Cristiano Ronaldo’s Compatriot Dumped by Saudi Club: Reports

Published Aug 22, 2023 | 8:45 AM EDT

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As a part of Saudi Arabia’s bold plan, Al Ittihad has been reshaping the soccer landscape. Just after a month of joining the Saudi Pro League for a world-record $30 million fee, a Portuguese compatriot of  Cristiano Ronaldo is now heading for departure, and it’s anything but graceful.

After securing the Saudi Pro League title recently, Saudi club Al Ittihad actively acquired Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante on free transfers. The team’s ambition didn’t halt at that point; they invested a remarkable $30 million in CR7’s Portuguese compatriot, who signed a three-year deal at the club.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese star’s surprising departure

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Barely a month after his high-profile transfer to Al-Ittihad, Jota, the former Celtic winger, is facing an unexpected exit. Despite his impressive 15-goal performance for Celtic in the previous season, the club’s management is reportedly exploring options to loan or permanently sell the Portuguese star. This decision comes as a result of Jota’s inability to meet the expectations of his new manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.

via Reuters

Saudi media is already buzzing with talk of Jota’s departure, only weeks after his arrival. The local press in Saudi Arabia cites “fan and director dissatisfaction” with the addition of a player lacking “Star status”. This sentiment has solidified expectations of Jota’s departure from Nuno Espirito Santo’s coaching roster. Currently, Al Ittihad has shifted its focus to Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian star of Liverpool.

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An upcoming bid is anticipated before the market closure on September 20, extending beyond the European soccer window.

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Saudi League’s attraction for top talents and the interest in Mo Salah

The exodus of top-tier talent from European football to the Saudi Pro League continues in 2023, following in the footsteps of iconic Cristiano Ronaldo. This migration trend has seen stars like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Riyad Mahrez making their mark. There have been reports of Salah registering on Saudi recruitment radars, with claims that the 31-year-old forward has been presented with a contract offer from Al-Ittihad. Salah, however, signed a new three-year contract at Anfield in 2022.

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Salah – who is a three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner – has registered 186 goals for Liverpool through 305 appearances. Breaking countless records along the way and helping Jurgen Klopp’s side to seven trophy triumphs. As the Saudi Pro League continues to attract top talent from around the world, will Salah make the leap to the Saudi Pro League? What do you think?

Watch this story: Cristiano Ronaldo and All About His Pets

Written by:

Sourav Kalita

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Sourav Jyoti Kalita is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. Soccer has been a passion he follows since school days where he has participated extensively in matches where he looks for a chance to don the jersey and take the field. A fan of the glorious Red Devils, he also ardently supports his local team North East United that plays in the Indian Super League.
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Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra