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Kalidou Koulibaly 'offered surprise Chelsea escape route after an approach from Saudi Arabia's PIF, with centre back able to join Al-Ittihad or another club'

Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has been approached by Saudi Arabia over a potential move to Al-Ittihad and may leave after just one season, reports claim.

The centre back sealed a switch to Stamford Bridge in a £34million deal last summer but endured a poor first campaign after the club finished 12th in the Premier League.

Neither Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor nor Frank Lampard were able to rescue the sinking ship and Koulibaly could be lured away by the Saudi Arabia Investment Fund.

According to Sport Zone, the 31-year-old Senegal international has been offered a surprise escape route out of west London after the offer from the Middle East.