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AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala has reached an agreement to follow former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi with newly promoted Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah. The Argentine forward will become the latest high-profile addition to Saudi football after an impressive stint in Italy's top flight.
Newly promoted Al-Qadsiah are owned by the Saudi Aramco Company and they have the financial muscle to compete against the league's biggest sides. They were famously linked with Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne at the start of the summer, showing their intent.
Journalist Santi Aouna has reported that the newly promoted side have reached an agreement to sign Paulo Dybala permanently from AS Roma. The 30-year-old will reportedly receive an annual salary of €15 million on a three-year contract until 2027.
Al-Qadsiah will pay the €12 million release clause in Dybala's contract at the Stadio Olimpico or negotiate with his club for his transfer. The Argentine, who played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, will play against the Portuguese great in Saudi if the deal goes through.
Cristiano Ronaldo moving to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 marked a new era in the country's football, attracting some of Europe's leading stars. Al-Qadsiah themselves have been very active in the summer transfer window, signing several high-profile stars. The likes of Nacho, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Equi Fernandez, Koen Casteels, and Andre Carrillo are on the books of the club for the 2024-25 season.
Paulo Dybala recorded 16 goals and 10 assists across all competitions for AS Roma in the 2023-24 season, playing 39 times for the side. The forward did not make the Argentina squad for the Copa America, missing out as his country won the tournament.
Former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala becomes free agent following contract termination
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, a former Juventus star, has seen his time with the Bianconeri come to an end this summer. The former Arsenal man has had his contract with the Italian giants cancelled and is available to join another side as a free agent.
Szczesny was close to leaving Juventus to join Ronaldo at Al-Nassr this summer but the deal fell through in July, leaving him in limbo. The Saudi side have since signed Brazilian goalkeeper Bento from Atletico Paranaense.
Juventus have already signed goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio from Monza and the Italian is expected to be first-choice in Thiago Motta's team. Szczesny played 252 times for the Bianconeri, keeping 103 clean sheets and winning eight trophies with the club.
