Multiple Saudia Arabian clubs are showing an interest in signing Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy, the EADT and Ipswich Star understands.
A host of big name players and managers have moved to the Saudi Pro League in recent months. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino are among those to have joined the state backed 'big four' clubs of Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, with Jordan Henderson and Riyad Mahrez reportedly set to join them.
Moving to an Islamic nation could potentially appeal to Morsy, who recently spoke about the importance of his Muslim faith, while the chance to at least double his wages may also be tempting at this stage of his career.
The 31-year-old is settled in Suffolk though and has spoken in glowing terms about working with manager Kieran McKenna.
When recently asked if he would like to see out his career with the Blues, he replied: "Definitely. I'm loving my time at the club, feel really settled and I'm really enjoying my football. It's an honour to captain this club, it really is. I'm just focusing on us hopefully having another really good season."
The seven-cap Egypt international penned a three-year deal at Portman Road when signed from Middlesbrough in 2021. It's understood that Town's recent promotion to the Championship triggered a one-year extension clause that was inserted into his contract last summer, meaning he still has two more years left to run on his current terms.
Whether Ipswich, backed by wealthy American owners, would entertain any offers for their influential skipper is another question. There is certainly no pressure to sell someone who McKenna has labelled an 'absolutely outstanding captain both on and off the pitch'.
The only reason to do a deal would be to free up funds, within the constraints of Financial Fair Play rules, to spend on other areas of the squad.
Jack Taylor - a £1.5m signing from Peterborough - was recently added to a midfield unit that, along with Morsy, also contains Massimo Luongo, Lee Evans, Dominic Ball and Cameron Humphreys.
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