Now, we can understand why a move to Saudi Arabia may appeal to a 30-something footballer who’s best days are behind him and who finds himself chasing one last pay day.
But when you talk about the likes of Ruben Neves, Aymeric Laporte, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Gabri Veiga, it is difficult to shake the feeling that their sporting pedigree is being sacrificed for cold, hard, oil-stained cash.
It’s similar, in a sense, to the reaction that greeted Oscar’s departure from Chelsea to China a decade ago.
Now, we must be careful not to view Europe as the beginning an end of the global game. But still, the only reason people will talk about Oscar for years to come is to wonder what might have been for a player who has spent the last ten years out of sight and largely out of mind.
Toni Kroos, meanwhile, labelled Gabri Veiga’s departure from Celta Vigo to Al-Ahli ’embarrassing’ at a time when the likes of Man United, Real Madrid and Newcastle were being linked with the Spain Under 21 star, per Goal.
One wonders, then, what the reaction in Belgium will be once Arthur Theate swaps Stade Rennais for Saudi Arabia in a deal worth £15 million.
Liverpool linked Arthur Theate heading to Saudi Arabia
Fabrizio Romano uttered those three immortal words on Wednesday evening – Theate to Al Ittihad, ‘here we go’ – with one of Belgium’s next generation opting to spend potentially the prime years of his career in the Middle East.
Theate, still only 24, was on West Ham United’s wishlist, Romano adds.
There were links with Liverpool back in 2023, too. And, who knows, Arne Slot’s side could yet have returned for the poodle-haired defender.
HITC understands that Liverpool are running the rule over several left-sided centre-halves with Piero Hincapie, Levi Colwill and the self-professed Reds ‘fan’ David Hancko all having been under consideration in recent months.
Liverpool, L’Equipe reported in August of last year, had taken note of Theate’s progress since swapping KV Oostende for Rennes.
“He is a player who commits himself a lot,” Rennes director Florian Maurice said at the time. “(Theate) likes to defend and he likes challenges. He has a natural aggressiveness and an incredible energy.”
In short, a lot of the attributes then-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp likes in his centre-halves. Slot, who shares Klopp’s up-and-at-em, front-foot approach, would also seemingly have appreciated Theate’s combativeness and his ability to funnel passes up the pitch with his trusty left boot.
Rather than Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister, Theate will soon be sharing a dressing room with N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and the former Liverpool stalwart Fabinho.
David Hancko not expecting Arne Slot reunion
The aforementioned Hancko, meanwhile, is clearly not holding his breath as speculation rages about a potential reunion with his former Feyenoord coach Slot at Anfield.
“You always really look forward to training with him,” Slovakia’s Euro 2024 stopper tells Voetbal International of Slot. “His playing style and also the videos he shows in team meetings are all so professional.
“He always shows you what you specifically have to do when the opponent puts pressure in a certain way. And we trained on that for a week.
‘I think that in three years he will be named as one of the best coaches in the world. I can see that happening, because I know what he did with us and now he has the biggest platform to show that. I have a lot of confidence in him and his staff.
“And I don’t express that appreciation because I hope that I will go with him to Liverpool, because that is unlikely. I have spoken to him a few times after the end of the season, but I don’t think they are looking for a player in my position.
“So I don’t think a transfer to Liverpool will happen. But I wish him the best of luck, he really is a fantastic coach.”
Hancko’s agent believes that, if the former Slavia Prague ace does leave Feyenoord, he is more likely to end up at Atletico Madrid.
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