Rumours of a very interesting move are starting to break, with Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reporting today that Chelsea academy product Harvey Vale is a target for Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al Ettifaq.
The initial wave of big name player moving to Saudi Arabia has calmed down massively this summer, and them bringing in a 20 year old would certainly be a break from their usual policy of targeting big names on big wages.
Al Ettifaq are managed by Steven Gerrard, whom Mokbel claims “identified [Vale] as a key target.” He adds that the agreement between clubs is “close”, but also that Vale himself hasn’t decided whether he wants the move or not.
https://x.com/SamiMokbel81_DM/status/1828396113897914759
A return to the top for a highly rated talent
Vale was highly rated a few years ago, and got some first team appearances under Thomas Tuchel. A disappointing loan to Hull in 2022-2023 really set him back however, and that was a wasted season. He shone at Bristol Rovers last year though, pushed back to a left wing back role which ended up really suiting him. We’re not sure if he’s keen to make that his permanent position or of this Saudi move would change that, but either way it’s another weapon in his locker now.
He would likely receive a life changing amount of money, of course, incomparable even to players of his standing in the Premier League or Championship. But does he really want to give up on competing at the top level of European football so easily? It will be a real dilemma for Harvey and we don’t envy him. Ok, we do envy him. But still, it’s a hard choice for anyone to have to make.
We’re sure those upstairs at Chelsea are hoping he takes the move to Saudi in order to bring in as much cash for his sale as possible.
