Premier League legend dropped from Saudi Pro League squad for rest of this season to make space for £42m January signing

AL-AHLI person decided to driblet Liverpool fable Roberto Firmino from their Saudi Pro League squad for the remainder of the season.

The striker has fallen foul of rules connected overseas players - aft Al-Ahli splashed £42milion connected chap Brazilian Galeno.

Firmino, 33, is nether declaration until adjacent twelvemonth but speculation is increasing implicit an aboriginal exit.

However, Al-Ahli  are flying successful the AFC Champions League.

And the 55-cap prima tin inactive play successful that tourney - the apical contention for Asian clubs.

Al-Ahli are already guaranteed a spot successful the knockout signifier aft winning six of their archetypal seven Group B matches.

But domestically, amid a blitz of signings from Europe, the Saudi League has constricted the fig of overseas recruits to 10 per club.

And the accomplishment of 27-year-old winger Galeno from Porto has enactment paid to Firmino's home season.

It comes aft the inventive attacker netted 5 times successful 17 league games for Al-Ahli during the existent campaign.

Al-Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle said: "It was a hard determination for the nine and based connected the rules."

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And Jaissle appeared to suggest Firmino could inactive person a large relation - distant from the last 15 games successful the Saudi Pro League.

He added: "We admit him and helium dealt with it professionally. He's inactive 1 of our leaders."

 But contempt being nether declaration until June 2026, Firmino's concern could present spark transportation talk.

And Al-Ahli mightiness beryllium amenable to offloading 1 of their large earners - if helium finds a suitable taker. 

Firmino arrived astatine the nine successful July 2023, having won the Champions League, Prem and FA Cup successful 8 years with Liverpool.

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