Latest news with #AlexandreLacazette
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Pro League unveils 2025-26 fixture list with blockbuster opening clashes
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has released on Tuesday the full fixture list for the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League (RSL), setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most competitive seasons in the league's history. The new campaign kicks off on Thursday, August 28, with marquee matchups and derby drama arriving from the opening whistle. Title defence and high-profile debuts Defending champions Al Ittihad open their campaign on the road against Al Okhdood before returning home to face Al Fateh and bitter rivals Al Nassr in Matchweek 3. Their early run also includes a trip to newly promoted Al Najmah before a Matchweek 6 Saudi Clasico showdown with Al Hilal in Jeddah. Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr begin away to Al Taawoun, one of last season's surprise packages, and face Al Ittihad in Jeddah in Matchweek 4. A home meeting with ambitious newcomers NEOM SC follows in Matchweek 8. Al Hilal, coming off a historic run to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, start with a city derby against Al Riyadh before facing Al Qadsiah at home and Al Ahli away in Matchweek 3. The Riyadh giants then travel to Jeddah for the Clasico against Al Ittihad in Matchweek 6. NEOM SC make top-flight bow Promoted NEOM SC, dominant in last season's Saudi First Division, open away to Al Ahli in Jeddah. The Tabuk-based side have made a statement in the transfer market, signing former Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette, goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, and rising midfield star Amadou Kone under new coach Christophe Galtier. Derbies and rivalry dates Capital Derby: Al Hilal vs Al Nassr — Matchweek 15 (Hilal home) and Matchweek 32 (Nassr home) Sea Derby: Al Ittihad vs Al Ahli — Matchweek 8 (Ittihad home) and Matchweek 25 (Ahli home) Eastern Province Derby: Al Qadsiah vs Al Ettifaq — Matchweek 9 (Qadsiah home) and Matchweek 26 (Ettifaq home) Saudi Clasico: Al Ittihad vs Al Hilal — Matchweek 6 (Ittihad home) and Matchweek 23 (Hilal home) Storylines to follow Al Shabab will be banking on a home-heavy start to propel Abderrazak Hamdallah toward the RSL's all-time scoring record, needing just five goals to match Omar Al Somah's tally of 155. Meanwhile, Pericles Chamusca returns to Al Taawoun after guiding NEOM SC to promotion, with a favourable early schedule offering a chance to build momentum. The league enters the season riding a wave of growth — last year saw record broadcast deals in 183 territories and over 2.5 million fans attending matches, alongside a 200 percent surge in international sponsorship revenue. With heavyweight clashes, fresh challengers, and a packed calendar of rivalry games, the 2025-26 RSL season promises to deliver high-octane football from the first whistle to the last.
The Sun
06-08-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Abdoulaye Doucoure in advanced transfer talks to become latest ex-Premier League star to join Saudi side Neom
ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE could be the latest big name to swap the Premier League for the Middle East, with a move to Saudi newcomers Neom on the cards. The ex- Everton midfielder is in advanced talks with the newly promoted Saudi Pro League side after leaving Goodison Park this summer. 3 3 Doucoure, 32, has been weighing up his next move since parting ways with the Toffees and now looks set to join a club that didn't even exist a few years ago. Neom – backed by Saudi megabucks and linked to the Kingdom's massive 'smart city' project – are wasting no time building a squad fit for the big league. The club have already pulled off some eyebrow-raising deals, snapping up Alexandre Lacazette, ex-PSG stopper Marcin Bulka and Sunsport breaking the news that they had signed talented French defender Nathan Zeze. Now, Doucoure could add his Premier League pedigree to the mix, bringing bags of experience and midfield steel to the Saudi upstarts. A source close to the deal told The Sun: 'Talks have been positive. Doucoure is open to the move and likes the project Neom are building. 'He's had other offers, but the Saudi one is tempting both financially and professionally.' Doucoure joined Everton from Watford in 2020 and went on to make over 100 appearances for the Blues, becoming a fan favourite for his engine and tough tackles. He played a huge role in Everton's survival fights over the last few seasons and famously scored the goal that secured their Premier League status in 2023. Since his exit, he's been training privately and staying match-fit, waiting for the right opportunity to land. Neom Hijack Zeze Deal from Premier League Rivals And with Neom offering a fresh challenge – and a healthy pay packet – it might just be the perfect fit for the Malian international. In more Saudi transfer news Al-Hilal are keen on signing Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez. The Saudi league has become attractive to Premier League stars after Cristaino Ronaldo left Manchester United for Al Nassr in 2023.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
☕️🥐FC Breakfast: wild transfer news 🔥 English women crowned champions 🏆
The Brilliant Announcement from Flamengo 🔥 To announce the arrival of Emerson Royal, Flamengo prepared a video worthy of its name. Set against the backdrop of Clash Royal, the player even received a card with his likeness. The English Champions of Europe 🏆 The Lionesses have just claimed their second consecutive European title. We bring you the best of the celebrations. Sunday Footballers ⚽️ We have only one thing to say: can't wait for the leagues to return! We still thank these players for the content they provide us. Matic 🤝 Lacazette Freshly arrived in Neom, Alexandre Lacazette is already being called upon for preparation in Spain. The player took the opportunity to post some photos on Instagram. Photos that received a lovely declaration from Nemanja Matic. Honestly, we understand. The Must-Sees from Yesterday 🍿 Transfer Market - The completely crazy figures of João Félix's signing with Al-Nassr. OL Transfer Market - A European giant might withdraw from the race for Malick Fofana! England - Spain: the 3️⃣ strong women of the match 👑 This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. 📸 Wagner Meier - 2025 Getty Images
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Man United 'make contact with entourage' of former Bayern Munich star over potential switch to Old Trafford
Manchester United have reportedly made contact with the entourage of a former Bayern Munich star over a possible move to Old Trafford. The player in question is currently at Lyon having left the Bundesliga champions in 2022 to return to his boyhood side. According to French outlet L'Equipe, the Red Devils are exploring a move for midfielder Corentin Tolissso. The publication added that Tolisso, 30, is not said to be 'insensitive' at the idea of a switch to the Premier League. However, Lyon are not planning to sell Tolisso, as they plan to make him the fulcrum of Paolo Fonseca's side. What could complicate matters is that Les Gones have aready allowed club legend Alexandre Lacazette to leave the club. But they could still allow Tolisso to depart the club given the concerning state of their finances that could have seen them playing in Ligue 2 next season. Last week, Lyon announced that they had won their appeal against their relegation from Ligue 1. Had the decision stood, it would have meant that FA Cup winners Crystal Palace would have been in next season's Europa League. However, it now means the south London side are set to be 'relegated' to the third-tier competition thanks to UEFA's rules on multi-club ownership. As Mail Sport revealed, Palace officials jetted to UEFA headquarters last month to plead their case. Competition rules mean that, in instances where one person has control over multiple clubs which qualify for the same European tournament, the one which finished higher in its domestic league takes the slot. However, the failure to take action to separate Textor from the club before UEFA's March 1 deadline landed them in an administrative nightmare. There had been hope for Palace after Lyon were relegated after breaching financial rules in France.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Neom SC reach verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka has reached a verbal agreement to join Neom SC, according to Florian Plettenberg. The 32-year-old will earn a reported €10m per year at the Saudi Pro League club, who announced their interest in the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder late last week. Juventus had also shown an interest in signing Xhaka but would only be able to offer a salary of around €3.5m per year, significantly lower than Neom SC's offer. Die Werkself have also placed a €8m-€15m valuation on Xhaka but, per Plettenberg, a fee of around €6m has been presented to Leverkusen with no agreement yet reached. Although 'new and potentially decisive' talks are expected to take place on Monday. Advertisement Promoted from the second division, Neom SC have already heavily invested in their squad, spending €43.73m on transfers this summer with the arrivals of Marcin Bulka (Nice, €15m), Amadou Kone (Stade de Reims, €13.33m), Said Benrhama (Lyon, €12m) and Faris Abdi (Al-Fayha, €3.4m), while Alexandre Lacazette has also joined the club upon the expiry of his contract. Whether Xhaka is the next high-profile player to make the switch to Saudi remains to be seen, but there is considerable interest from Neom SC. GGFN | Daniel Pinder
