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Football: Towards a surprise transfer from Denis Zakaria to Saudi Arabia
The Geneva midfielder, captain of AS Monaco, could sign in Al-Ahli. The two clubs are in advanced negotiations, according to the specialized media.
Denis Zakaria is one of the essential executives in Monaco, where he arrived in 2023.
ImagoWhat if Denis Zakaria followed in the footsteps of Vincent Sierro? While the latter is on the way to sign in Al-Shabab, he could be quickly joined in the Saudi Arabian championship by the first named, another Swiss midfielder captain of his team in Ligue 1. This Sunday evening, the French media announce in choir that the 28-year-old Genevois is on the tablets of al-Ahli.
“RMC Sport” was the first to release the information, confirmed in a second step by “the team”, saying that the 5th of Saudi Pro League in 2024-2025 came into contact with AS Monaco in order to quickly complete the transfer. So much so that negotiations are at an advanced stage, specifies “RMC Sport”. For its part, the specialized “foot transfer window” site goes further and ensures that the two clubs have already agreed.
Anyway, the ball seems in the player’s camp. Fabrizio Romano – World reference in terms of transfer window – indicates that Zakaria was offered a “huge” salary and that he is seriously studying the offer. The specialized journalist adds that Monaco and Al-Ahli are preparing to confirm an agreement around 45 million euros. An amount that would equal that spent by Arsenal in 2016 to recruit Granit Xhaka, still to date the most expensive Swiss footballer in history.
He could match the Xhaka granite record
ASM captain, Denis Zakaria competed in the entire meeting against Le Havre (3-1) on Saturday, during the 1st day of Ligue 1. Indisputable executive of a team that ended 3rd last season, validating a new participation in the Champions League, the Swiss international (59 selections) had to register in continuity and was brought to form a formidable pair with Paul Pogba Monegasque summer lighthouse. It was without counting on the unexpected approach of Al-Ahli. His club finally decided to open the exit door to him, faced with the prospect of recovering a good added value on an element bought 20 million euros from Juventus in 2023.
Servette’s former junior, also passed by Mönchengladbach and Chelsea, played 63 matches with Monaco, for a total of 11 goals and 5 assists. In Al-Ahli, he would join a workforce that appears well known in Europe such as Edouard Mendy, Franck Kessié and Riyad Mahrez.