With Riyad Mahrez signed and Allan Saint-Maximin’s proposed move close, Al Ahli are setting up a real attack on the Saudi Pro League title.
Having already landed Liverpool hero Roberto Firmino, they are ready to serve up some sensational firepower in the 2023/24 season.
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Saint-Maximin is set to leave Newcastle following their signing of Harvey Barnes from Leicester.
The Englishman’s arrival would end his hopes of being a Champions League and Premier League regular and possibly, a shot of breaking into Didier Deschamps’ France squad ahead of Euro 2024.
And if you’re going to head anywhere to rebuild your career, Saudi Arabia is now a very present option.
The 26-year-old would represent a much younger star joining Saudi’s vision of a highly-regarded league comprising powerhouse names at the tail-end of their careers.
And Saint-Maximin will form one of it’s deadliest attacks with Mahrez and Firmino.
Rivals Al Ittihad, the current champions, will now boast World Cup winner and Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema with former Celtic star Jota also in their frontline.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have foreign acquisitions elsewhere in their squad with Seko Fofana and Alex Telles signed up, but he could find Sadio Mane with him soon.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq have only added Moussa Dembele to their attack, leaving Al Ahli as the strongest frontline overall.
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Mahrez, Firmino and Saint-Maximin would even give most Premier League attacks a run for their money.
And the trio are also joined by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The quartet are a signal of intent as they look to better last season’s third-placed finish.
On paper, the attacking trio of Mahrez, Saint-Maximin and Firmino present Al Ahli with a title-winning forward line capable of seeing off the challenge of their main rivals.
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Ronaldo, though, will be giving his all to win the trophy having failed to in his debut campaign with Al Nassr.
He joined with the club in pole position by a slim margin before Al Ittihad pipped them to the post in May.
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