Newcastle United are tracking Saudi Arabian right-back Saud Abdulhamid and could make a move this summer, with scouts having watched him during Lens’ 5-0 thrashing of Paris FC last weekend.
The 26-year-old has been one of the surprise packages in Ligue 1 this season. He joined Lens on loan from Roma last August and has made 15 appearances, helping the French side in the title race.
Roma included an option-to-buy in the loan deal, reportedly around €2-3 million. The Giallorossi, however, also inserted a buy-back clause.
This means if Lens triggers the option of a permanent transfer, Roma could, in theory, swoop back in and sign him again.
That complicates the situation for any club interested in Abdulhamid, including Newcastle.
As per TEAMtalk, the Premier League club’s owners, PIF, have never tried to sign a Saudi player, but that might change with this opportunity.
Abdulhamid became the first Saudi to play in Serie A when he joined Roma from Al-Hilal in 2024 for €2.5 million.
He struggled for game time in Italy, where he made just eight appearances, but he has played well so far in France.
Internationally, he started all three of Saudi Arabia’s group games at the 2022 World Cup, including the famous 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina. He has 38 caps for his country.
Everton, who share ownership with Roma through the Friedkin Group, are also understood to be monitoring the player.
