2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[dicedlam]

The Saudi version of Islam isn't really similar to that which most Muslims practice. I doubt it's a factor.

Moussa Diaby is a Sunni Muslim which 80-90% of Saudi citizens are.

[richardb]

The Saudi version of Islam isn't really similar to that which most Muslims practice. I doubt it's a factor.

Moussa Diaby is a Sunni Muslim which 80-90% of Saudi citizens are.

He's also a top football player which 80-90%+ of prem league players are and but a mere fraction of that in Saudi

[Sexual Ealing]

The Saudi version of Islam isn't really similar to that which most Muslims practice. I doubt it's a factor.

Moussa Diaby is a Sunni Muslim which 80-90% of Saudi citizens are.

I doubt he's a Wahhabist.

[passport1]

A neighbour of mine did a stint in Saudi. I recall meeting him on one of his trips home and I was expecting him to be very upbeat about his time there. "It's awful and I can't wait to get home" was his opinion. Tax free dough is nice but it's not everything.

[pauliewalnuts]

Seem to remember Hilary Mantel lived there for a while and later wrote about it making her feel suicidal.

[Walmley_Villa]

The footballers will all live in Dubai and work in Saudi - my cousin does the same

[pauliewalnuts]

Interesting that Newcastle are saying they're hamstrung by FFP and, seemingly, that's why they need to sell Saint-Maximiniminmin in order to buy Harvey Barnes.

I don't massively rate S-M, and Barnes is potentially a really good player, but that sort of business whilst being on the cusp of a CL season isn't really inspiring for them.

When was the last time they sold a home-grown product for any decent money? That makes a huge difference (as we've seen).

[richardb]

A 1hr 45min flight commute is a bit of a pisser though

[Malandro]

The Saudi version of Islam isn't really similar to that which most Muslims practice. I doubt it's a factor.

Moussa Diaby is a Sunni Muslim which 80-90% of Saudi citizens are.

I doubt he's a Wahhabist.

That’s good because most of the stuff here is crap, made from horseradish.

[Baldy]

About thirty years ago, my sisters ex was in Saudi Arabia on business. Had a bit of free time and followed a large crowd thinking there must be a concert or a sporting event happening. Eventually reached a large gathering near a stage. Two blokes were brought on stage and forced to kneel down. A man with a large sword stood between them and with a 'figure eight' swoosh of the sword duly beheaded the pair of them. Sister's ex got sick.

[pauliewalnuts]

Let's get Benteke back.

https://twitter.com/sistoney67/status/1681468822266494977?s=20

[algy]

The Saudi version of Islam isn't really similar to that which most Muslims practice. I doubt it's a factor.

Moussa Diaby is a Sunni Muslim which 80-90% of Saudi citizens are.

I doubt he's a Wahhabist.

But he would be able to start his interviews with "I'm shooting (against) Wahabists"

[ozzjim]

Love to see some of the others that have done that challenge

[paul_e]

Love to see some of the others that have done that challenge

I reckon it's a lot harder than it looks.

[mike]

The Saudi version of Islam isn't really similar to that which most Muslims practice. I doubt it's a factor.

Moussa Diaby is a Sunni Muslim which 80-90% of Saudi citizens are.

I doubt he's a Wahhabist.

Agreed but I don't know whether a non Wahhabi Sunni would be more at home in Saudi or the drug/alcohol/fleshpots of Europe. But it could be a complete red herring because I don't know whether that is a factor or even if he is devout. What I do know is that devout Sunni Muslims take their religion very seriously in a way that happy clap Christians and atheists who judge religion by their standards don't always appreciate.