Arsenal star Thomas Partey targeted by Al Ahli as Saudi Pro League side continue Premier League recruitment drive

Al Ahli are continuing their Premier League recruitment drive by targeting Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey as well as Fulham boss Marco Silva.

The Jeddah based club have already signed free agent Roberto Firmino and Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy. They agreed a £30.4m deal with Manchester City for Riyad Mahrez and are closing on agreement over a fee with Newcastle United for Allan Saint-Maximin. Indeed, talks are at the stage where the Frenchman is poised to go for his medical on Friday.

Now they have moved for Fulham boss Marco Silva, who has a £6m release clause, and want 30-year-old Arsenal defensive midfielder Partey too.

Though Partey has joined the club on their US tour, Arsenal are open to selling as they look to recoup funds after signing Declan Rice from West Ham for £105m, but the Gunners also have an eye on Liverpool target Romeo Lavia at Southampton.

Ghana international Partey will now take stock of what is on offer.

The Ghana captain joined Arsenal in October 2020 from Atletico Madrid, where he had made 188 appearances over five years with the La Liga side.

Partey has played 99 times for Arsenal, scoring five goals and providing fo'ur assists.

Fulham boss Silva has also been targeted by Al Ahli, with the Portuguese manager having 12 months left on his current deal at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have tabled a new deal but Silva has yet to commit his immediate future to the west London side despite their impressive top-half finish last season.

Should he make the move, he would become the first serving Premier League boss to be tempted away by the Saudi Pro League.

Silva and his Fulham squad travelled to the United States on Thursday to begin their pre-season tour.

He started his work at Fulham in July 2021 and led the club to promotion from the Championship in his first season, and then finished 10th in the Premier League during the 2022-23 campaign.

The former Hull City, Watford and Everton boss has been in high demand, with Premier League rivals eyeing him as a potential option on their touchline.