Third Chelsea star agrees personal terms as Newcastle United PIF owners near transfer for Saudi Pro League

Edouard Mendy has become the latest Chelsea star to agree personal terms ahead of a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia - who 80 per cent of Newcastle United - gained a 75 per cent stake in Al Ahli, Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad on June 5, several high-profile players have been offered lucrative terms by those clubs.

Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema signed a two-year contract worth £344million at Al Ittihad, while Wolverhampton Wanderers star Ruben Neves is on the verge of sealing a £47m switch to Al Hilal.

Players moving from the Premier League to the Pro League won’t stop at Neves with four Chelsea players nearing a move, as per transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

N’Golo Kante first agreed personal terms, thought to be a four-year contract worth £85million, with Al Ittihad last week. And over the last 24 hours, both Hakim Ziyech and Mendy are understood to have reached agreements over their contracts.

Ziyech is set to join Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, while Mendy will move to Al Ahil on a three-year contract. Both clubs are close to agreeing a transfer fee with Chelsea.

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Meanwhile, there is a “growing confidence” Kalidou Koulibaly will accept Al Hilal’s contract offer to seal a reported £25m switch, just 13 months after moving to Stamford Bridge. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also on the radar of Saudi Pro League clubs but is yet to decide on his future.

The rapid emergence of the Saudi Pro League this summer has shocked clubs across Europe. Clubs have approached household names in an effort to raise the profile of the league.

Following their four-team takeover, PIF said: “The transfer of the four clubs will unleash various commercial opportunities, including investment, partnership and sponsorships across numerous sports.”