Senegalese midfielder Pathé Ciss edges closer to Saudi move as Rayo Vallecano hold firm

Pathé Ciss is pushing for a move away from Rayo Vallecano, with Saudi club Al-Shabab preparing a new offer to secure the Senegalese midfielder before the Gulf transfer window closes.

The 31-year-old, who has spent the past four seasons in Madrid, has been vocal about his wish to leave this summer.

Despite repeated interest from clubs in Spain and abroad, Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa has so far resisted every approach for one of his key players.

Ciss determined to leave Vallecano

Having joined Rayo from Fuenlabrada in 2021, Ciss quickly established himself as a reliable presence in midfield. But after four full campaigns with the La Liga side, he is eager for a fresh challenge and is not hiding his openness to a move to the Gulf region.

The midfielder, who began his career at Senegal’s Diambars Institute before moving to Spain, believes now is the right time to embark on a new adventure. Sources close to the player suggest he has already reached a personal agreement with Al-Shabab, who are managed by former Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil.

Offers rejected by Rayo

Earlier in the transfer window, Celta Vigo expressed the strongest interest from Europe.

Having qualified for the Europa League, the Galician side saw Ciss as a valuable addition and reportedly tabled a €5 million bid. That approach was immediately turned down by Rayo’s board, with Presa known for his tough negotiating stance.

As the Spanish deadline approached, Al-Shabab entered the race with a late move.

Their initial attempt also failed, frustrating the Ciss camp and intensifying the midfielder’s desire to leave.

Saudi persistence

Al-Shabab, however, have not given up. According to reports in Madrid, the Saudi club is preparing an improved bid of €7 million in the hope of finally convincing Rayo to part with their midfielder. Such a figure could prove tempting, though insiders at the club say Presa remains reluctant to lose a player he considers essential.

The Spanish window may have closed, but Saudi clubs still have time to make signings, keeping the possibility of a deal alive. With Ciss already aligned with Al-Shabab’s project, the final decision rests squarely with Rayo Vallecano’s hierarchy.

What comes next?

The saga highlights the growing pull of the Saudi Pro League, which continues to attract players from Europe’s top leagues.

For Ciss, the move would not only offer financial reward but also the chance to experience a new footballing culture at the twilight of his career.

Yet Rayo are conscious of the need to maintain squad stability. Having lost players in recent transfer windows, the club is wary of weakening their midfield options just as the season begins.

The impasse has left Ciss in limbo, with both player and club needing to resolve the matter quickly.

As the Saudi transfer window edges closer to its conclusion, all eyes are now on Vallecano’s boardroom.

The decision over whether to cash in on Ciss or keep him against his wishes could define not only the player’s immediate future but also Rayo’s prospects for the season ahead.