Liverpool forward could MOVE after Saudis trigger €65m deal

The Saudi Pro League has not had the same kind of impact in this transfer window as it has done in the last few years.

Where once the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane led the list of high-profile incomings, there has been a shortage of star names moving to Saudi Arabia during the current transfer season.

Diogo Jota: Thank you

Of course, Saudi clubs have got their eyes on a couple of prized assets at Liverpool. Luis Diaz, 28, is wanted by Al-Nassr - who are willing to part with €100m to land the Colombian - but his preference right now would appear to be Bayern Munich.

READ MORE: Diogo Jota's legacy is bigger than any of us realised

Then there’s Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker, 26, is believed to favour a move within Europe but is seeing his options dry up as the window goes on.

Diaz and Nunez wanted in Saudi Arabia

He would have no problem gaining a rich contract in the Middle East should he choose to accept the move with Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal both keen on the Liverpool No9.

Both players are going to see their opportunities restricted if they end up staying at Anfield through the summer as big-name arrivals including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike have all but secured their spot in Arne Slot’s XI.

So no doubt they will be hoping to land elsewhere - and the list of possibilities even includes Saudi Arabia.

One team in the region which HAS managed to land its No1 target however is Al-Qadsiah. Flush with PIF cash, Al-Qadsiah have just completed a record deal which could end up having a big impact at Anfield.

Retegui sale opens space at Atalanta

Mateo Retegui, 26, has moved from Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah for €65m, becoming the league’s flagship arrival of the summer. And his somewhat unexpected departure has opened the door for Atalanta to complete several deals.

The club were previously reported to be in the hunt for Federico Chiesa although the winger’s £120k per week salary was putting them off.

They are now boosted by a €65m windfall however - meaning a shock move for the Italy international could now be back on the table.

That’s according to a new report in Foot Mercato, which claims Atalanta are among FOUR Serie A teams now interested in making a bid for the 27-year-old forward.

Chiesa a PRIORITY for Atalanta

“As Federico Chiesa endures a summer of total uncertainty at Liverpool, several Serie A clubs are ready to lend him a helping hand,” a report reads.

“Atalanta, in search of a new attacking asset after the departure of Mateo Retegui, has made him their priority.

“Roma, Fiorentina, and Bologna are keeping a close eye on developments.”

It was a frustrating season for Chiesa following his €12.5m transfer from Juventus last September. He played only SIX times in the Premier League - making only one start - and barely impressed on his outings in other competitions.

Chiesa was earmarked for a transfer as early as January but was kept around for the second half of the season.

READ MORE: How the gamer celebration became the world's way to honour Diogo Jota

The Euro 2020 champion’s transfer fate appears sealed at this stage however with no place offered to him on Liverpool’s preseason tour to Asia.

He is expected to wrap up an outgoing transfer before the window closes - which in turn could add another €15m to the club’s transfer funds.

👉 Reds have signed special winger to replace Luis Diaz 🔗

**👉 **The next Roberto Firmino has been signed by Liverpool 🔗

**👉 **Liverpool set to increase transfer budget by £200m 🔗

**👉 **Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool star is set to leave 🔗