Liverpool miss out on ‘next Saliba’ as Nathan Zeze chooses FC NEOM over host of Premier League clubs
AMBITIOUS Saudi outfit NEOM are closing in on highly-rated French defender Nathan Zeze — who has been dubbed the next William Saliba.
The 20-year-old centre-back had Premier League suitors queuing up, including Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton and Bournemouth.
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But in a shock move, he’s chosen to take his talents to the Saudi Pro League.
Zeze, who came through the ranks at Nantes, has been turning heads across Europe with his powerful displays at the back.
And it seems the scouts weren’t wrong — he’s now bagged himself a big-money move.
SunSport understands Bournemouth made the first move back in May, tabling a verbal £17million bid — but it wasn’t enough to tempt Nantes to sell.
Aston Villa were also closely tracking the young Frenchman as they look to strengthen their backline following the departure of Axel Disasi. Everton were in the frame too.
But it’s NEOM who’ve got the deal done. SunSport can reveal that Zeze will undergo a medical this week, and all that’s left is the formalities before he’s officially unveiled.
NEOM have made no secret of their ambition to build a star-studded squad. They’ve already got Said Benrahma and Alexandre Lacazette on board, and just recently snapped up ex-PSG keeper Marcin Bulka.
Former Nottingham Forest sporting director Kyriakos Dourekas is now leading the charge at NEOM and with signings like Zeze, it’s clear the Saudi side mean serious business.
Kyriakos is highly regarded in the football transfer business and played a key role in Forest’s promotion to the Premier League.
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He now has the task of ensuring NEOM stay in the top league and overseeing plans for a new stadium and growing their global identity.
In more Saudi transfer news Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are closing in on signing Chelsea’s Joao Felix.
Sunsport understand that the deal will be worth £43.7million with the player set for a medical later this week.
Felix made just 12 Premier League appearances, scoring only once, last season following his move back to Stamford Bridge.
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