Premier League chiefs have demanded proof that Chelsea are not actually owned by Saudi Arabia with three players set to join the Saudi Pro League.
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N’Golo Kante has just moved to Al-Ittihad on a free transfer after his Chelsea contract expired and he will also be joined by some of his former team-mates.
According to reports, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ziyech and Edouard Mendy are all set to head out to the Middle East.
Koulibaly will join Al-Hilal, Ziyech is moving to Al-Nassr and Mendy is on his way to Al-Ahli after agreements were reached yesterday and their contracts are being prepared.
The number of players leaving west London for the Middle East has caused concern.
According to The Telegraph, Premier League chiefs asked Chelsea to give them with proof that the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was not part of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover last summer.
Chelsea have since provided Premier League chiefs with the proof – and they are said to be satisfied that there are no conflict of interests.
Speaking last summer, Boehly spoke about Saudi-owned Newcastle and felt they were now part of the Premier League’s ‘big seven’ due to their spending power.
A Saudi-backed consortium completed a £300m takeover of Newcastle United in October 2021 and Eddie Howe’s team secured a fourth-placed finish last campaign.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have spent up to £653.7m on 20 players since Boehly came in as co-owner and took over from Roman Abramovich.
