LONDON: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) is planning to boost its preparations for next year’s World Cup by loaning out as many members of the national team as possible to European clubs in the January transfer window to gain top-level experience, according to reports.
The General Sports Authority and the Football Federation last week signed a deal with La Liga in a bid to take football in the Kingdom to the next level. It is being reported, by Middle East website Ahdaaf, that part of the agreement aims to accelerate the transfer of top Saudi players to La Liga teams ahead of the World Cup in Russia, the first the national team has qualified for in 12 years.
Scouts from several La Liga clubs are expected to arrive in the Kingdom over the next few weeks to take a closer look at the players listed for loan by the SAFF as part of the agreement. A shortlist of players likely to be on the plane to Russia next summer has been drawn up and discussions with clubs and leagues in Europe apparently commenced last month.
The Saudi FF’s plan is targeting placing their players with mid-table Spanish and Italian clubs, but are receptive to negotiating with well-heeled clubs elsewhere on the continent.
Ittihad winger Fahad Al-Muwallad is believed to have already secured a loan move to an unnamed Spanish club while representatives of Serie A side Torino reportedly watched Al Ahli center-back Motaz Hawsawi in his side’s 3-0 victory over Jeddah rivals Ittihad at the weekend. Captain Osama Hawsawi already has experience abroad having played for Anderlecht in Belgium in 2012.
Scouts from various European clubs will also be present at the Portugal vs Saudi Arabia friendly scheduled on November 10 in the Portuguese city of Leiria to assess prospective targets ahead of the January transfer window.
Saudi players could head to Europe’s big leagues
Saudi players could head to Europe’s big leagues
AC Milan prolong France ‘keeper Maignan deal by five years
- Italian media reported that Milan have almost doubled Maignan’s annual salary to five millions euros
- “AC Milan is pleased to announce the extension of Mike Maignan’s contract until June 30, 2031,” said Milan
MILAN: Mike Maignan signed a new deal with AC Milan that will keep the France goalkeeper at the San Siro until 2031, the Serie A giants confirmed on Saturday.
Italian media reported that Milan have almost doubled Maignan’s annual salary to five millions euros, ensuring their captain will stay.
“AC Milan is pleased to announce the extension of Mike Maignan’s contract until June 30, 2031,” said Milan, currently second in Serie A.
Maignan says he enjoys working with coach Massimiliano Allegri, who joined Milan in May 2025.
“He’s experienced and level-headed, he knows how to manage his group of goalkeepers. Working like that is much easier. I don’t want to make comparisons, but we get along well and he knows how to handle me,” Maignan said in December.
The deal comes after the 30-year-old rediscovered the form which earned him the nickname “Magic Mike” when he replaced Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks in 2021.
Just a few months ago he had looked sure to leave come the end of this season when his contract had been due to expire, with poor displays and a clutch of injuries playing their role in a breakdown of communication with the Milan hierarchy.
The only remaining star of the team that won Milan’s most recent league title in 2022, his time in red and black looked to be up as the seven-time European champions slumped to eighth in Serie A last season and failed to qualify for continental football.
But Maignan is back to his best and Milan went into the weekend five points behind league leaders and local rivals Inter Milan in the race for the Scudetto.
Milan have conceded 17 goals in 22 league matches. Maignan has nine clean sheets and has saved two penalties.
Allegri’s side face Bologna on Tuesday.
