Saudi Arabia Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Several players who left Serie A and Europe to move to Saudi Arabia are nearing the end of their original contracts and itching to head back.

A Few Familiar Faces Contemplate Leaving Saudi Arabia

October 22, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester United, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market

Several players who left Serie A and Europe to move to Saudi Arabia are nearing the end of their original contracts. A few of them are itching to head back. The exodus could start in January already. Frank Kessié, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Karim Benzema, and Kalidou Koulibaly could be available.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has entered the final year of his contract with Al-Hilal. The top Serie A teams are keeping an eye on the situation.

Juventus, Inter, and Milan Monitoring Former Lazio Ace

September 11, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has entered the final year of his contract with Al-Hilal. The top Serie A teams are keeping an eye on the situation to see whether he could be interested in heading back to the Peninsula after three seasons in Saudi Arabia.

Fenerbahçe were the first to submit a bid for Juventus star Vlahovic, but he's waiting for Milan and other foreign sides.

Ten Serie A Players Turned Down Saudi Offers in January

February 14, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Genoa, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market

The Saudi Pro League hasn’t had a particularly glitzy January window relative to their previous ones, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying, as its clubs tested the waters for at least ten Serie A players. However, none accepted the destination.

Vlahovic Turns Down Opportunity to Go to Saudi Arabia

January 28, 2025 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market

Dusan Vlahovic will have to fight for minutes in the second half of the season after Juventus signed Randal Kolo Muani but hasn’t shown tangible signs of malcontent so far, nor is he pushing to leave. Al-Nassr offered him an escape route in recent days.

Roberto Mancini is no longer the Saudi Arabia coach after just 13 months at the helm. The FA announced to have agreed to terminate his contract early.

Mancini Formally Relieved of His Duties by Saudi Arabia

October 25, 2024 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, The Azzurri One comment

Roberto Mancini is no longer the Saudi Arabia coach after just 13 months at the helm. The FA announced to have reached an agreement to terminate his contract early on Thursday. He left the Azzurri in 2023 and took over a few weeks later.

Massimiliano Allegri may have a lot of flaws, but style wasn’t among those, at least until Wednesday. That’s part of what kept him on the Juventus bench.

What Does the Future Hold for Max Allegri?

September 21, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, Saudi Arabia, Serie A

Massimiliano Allegri has been out of work since May, as Juventus relieved him of his duties after his infamous outburst in the Coppa Italia. Calciomercato took stock of the 57-year-old's future amid speculation he could return to Milan to replace Paulo Fonseca.

Antonio Conte has prioritized Serie A in his comeback on the bench following a sabbatical but seriously risks not seeing his wish granted.

Conte Likely to Miss Out on Serie A Return This Summer

May 9, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Chelsea, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Serie A 2024-2025

Antonio Conte has prioritized Serie A in his comeback on the bench following a sabbatical but seriously risks not seeing his wish granted. He has been linked to multiple teams but none is too determined to hire him.

Ciro Immobile has progressively lost prominence this season, and new Lazio coach Igor Tudor gave Taty Castellanos the nod over him versus Juventus.

Lazio Potentially Facing Immobile Problem in the Summer

April 2, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Ciro Immobile has progressively lost prominence this season, and new Lazio coach Igor Tudor gave Taty Castellanos the nod over him in his debut versus Juventus. The Biancocelesti are ready to move on but are wary it may not happen.

Paulo Dybala has chosen an Arab publication to give his first interview in months, dishing on the coaching change, and the links to the local league.

Roma Ace Dybala Winks at Saudi Arabia in Rare Interview

February 22, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Paulo Dybala has chosen an Arab publication to give his first interview in months, dishing on the coaching change, the links to the local league: "I play for Roma and see myself here. My future is just the next game, and then we’ll see what happens."

The loss to Inter after 19 positive results in a row won’t necessarily affect the future of Massimiliano Allegri, but his contract is short-term.

Juventus and Allegri Will Soon Be at a Crossroads

February 6, 2024 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

The loss to Inter after 19 positive results in a row won’t necessarily affect the future of Massimiliano Allegri. Still, even though he has won over some skeptics this season, it’s not certain it’ll still be with Juventus given his short-term contract.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis wasn’t pleased with the referee’s performance in the Supercoppa but elected not to dwell in his post-game remarks

De Laurentiis Talks Supercoppa, Hints at More Signings

January 23, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Supercoppa, Transfer Market

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis wasn’t pleased with the referee’s performance in the Supercoppa but elected not to dwell in his post-game remarks: “I’m sorry for their head, Gianluca Rocchi, who’s going through a nightmare. Competition must also be a fest."

Lazio and Ciro Immobile are in Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa, where they’ll debut against Inter in the semi-final on Friday.

Immobile Addresses Saudi Arabia Links and Recent Form

January 18, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Supercoppa, Transfer Market

Lazio and Ciro Immobile are in Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa, where they’ll debut on Friday against Inter in the semi-final. The striker has been linked to a move to such a league in the summer and before the winter window.

Tag: Saudi Arabia