Al-Ahli have pulled off yet another stunning signing this summer as they have reached an agreement in principle with Barcelona for the signing of midfielder Franck Kessie.
This represents another significant coup for the Saudi side as they bid to win the Saudi Pro League title and signings like the Ivorian is sure to be a huge signing on that quest.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Kessie will depart Barcelona for around €15 million (£12 million), which represents a superb deal for the Saudi Arabian side.
Romano claims the two sides are in regular contact and are checking the final documents before giving the midfielder the green light to complete his move to the Middle Eastern side.
Kessie has struggled since he completed his move to Barcelona last summer.
Last season, Xavi’s midfield preference was seemingly Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Gavi and Pedri – leaving Kessie out in the cold struggling to regain a starting berth.
How long will he sign for?
According to Romano’s tweet, the Ivorian midfielder will sign a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2026.
The fee being paid for a midfielder of his quality is something to praise the Saudi side for.
The former Atalanta man departed AC Milan last summer and signed for Barcelona on a four-year deal last summer with a release clause of €500 million.
Despite featuring in 28 La Liga games, the midfielder played just 11 full matches for the Spanish side. As mentioned, Xavi’s preference for the box midfield left the 26-year-old out in the cold.
For Al-Ahli, this represents a brilliant piece of business. They needed a midfielder to aid their rebuild, having signed three forwards of immense quality.
Their midfield needed an injection of quality and that is what Kessie certainly is with his elite ball-carrying and progressive passing, he’s sure to be a hit in Saudi Arabia.