Ex-Arsenal star close to joining Cristiano Ronaldo as latest high-profile Saudi Pro League signing


Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is close to joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah, The Pitch Prospect has learned.

The Frenchman, who currently plays for Lyon, has agreed personal terms with the newly promoted Saudi team.

Lacazette's current contract expires in June 2025

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Lacazette’s current contract expires in June 2025.

An Al-Qadsiah delegation is currently in Lyon and talks on an agreement are expected to progress.

Lacazette could still take part in the Olympic Games if he participates, as he was recently called up to the French squad for Paris 2024.

The 33-year-old scored 19 goals in Ligue 1 last season, making him the second-best goalscorer in the French top league after Kylian Mbappe.

English football fans know him best from his five-year spell at Arsenal, where he scored 54 goals in the Premier League.

Lacazette joined from Lyon for £46.7 million but ultimately returned to Les Gones on a free transfer when his contract with the Gunners expired in 2022.

He will be the latest star to swap top European football for wealthy Saudi Arabia, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema.

Premier League superstars Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, currently at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, are often linked with lucrative moves to the Kingdom.

Al-Qadsiah, on the other hand, are looking to make a splash after winning the Saudi First Division title last season.

Lacazette was a popular figure at Arsenal and often wore the captain’s armband

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Lacazette was a popular figure at Arsenal and often wore the captain’s armband.

The promoted team wants to quickly sign a star player in order to be able to keep up with the super-rich clubs owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Jose Mourinho recently held talks with Al-Qadsiah about the possibility of becoming their new manager, but ultimately decided to move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce instead.

Ben Jacobs, Saudi football expert on The Pitch Prospect, explains why Cristiano Ronaldo may stay at Al Nassr until 2026.