Senegalese forward Philippe Keny has emerged as a top target for newly promoted Saudi Pro League side Al Hazem, as the 26-year-old weighs up his next move following his departure from Istanbul Basaksehir.
Keny, currently a free agent, has attracted significant attention during the summer transfer window, with clubs across Europe and Asia expressing strong interest in securing his signature.
Despite a subdued campaign at Basaksehir, where he featured in 27 matches, the striker remains a sought-after option thanks to his athletic profile and experience at club and international levels.
According to reports from Africafoot, Turkish outfit Sakaryaspor recently submitted a proposal to sign the former LB Châteauroux player.
However, the bid is believed to have fallen short of expectations from the player’s representatives.
Belgian clubs and Russian giants CSKA Moscow are also reportedly monitoring the situation, hoping to lure the Senegalese international back into European football.
But it is Al Hazem who now appear poised to make a decisive move.
The Saudi club, eager to strengthen its squad after earning promotion to the top tier, is reportedly ready to offer €1.5 million to secure Keny’s services.
Sources close to the negotiations suggest the Saudi side is confident of reaching an agreement, with the player understood to be open to new challenges outside of Europe.
Keny’s availability on a free transfer has made him an appealing option for clubs looking to add experience without incurring significant transfer fees.
With previous stints in France and Turkey, the striker brings both versatility and international exposure, having already represented Senegal at various youth levels and earned recognition within the senior setup.
The summer transfer window has proved to be a busy one for the forward, whose decision could be finalised in the coming weeks as clubs race to complete their squads ahead of the new season.
While Al Hazem have made the most concrete offer to date, Keny’s camp is continuing discussions with multiple suitors to assess the best sporting and financial package.
With pre-season preparations underway across leagues, the clock is ticking, and a resolution to Philippe Keny’s future is expected imminently.
Whether the next chapter of his career unfolds in the Saudi Pro League or elsewhere remains to be seen.
