Red Star Belgrade have reached a verbal agreement with an Emirati club over the transfer of Senegalese forward Cherif Ndiaye in a deal worth around €8 million.
The 29-year-old striker, who has already experienced football across Turkey, China, Croatia and Serbia, appears set for another move as Al-Jazeera, from the United Arab Emirates’ top division, close in on his signature. Talks between the two clubs have advanced quickly, with both sides agreeing in principle to the transfer.
Ndiaye is expected to remain with the Serbian champions until the conclusion of their Champions League play-off tie against Paphos FC of Cyprus, scheduled for 19 and 26 August, before finalising the switch.
His departure would mark the end of a significant chapter at Red Star, where he has been a key attacking option.
Should the deal go through, Ndiaye will reunite with Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny at Al-Jazeera, who previously featured for Premier League side Arsenal.
The move would give the Senegalese striker another opportunity to showcase his ability in a fresh environment, adding the Middle East to a career that has already spanned multiple continents.
Ndiaye’s reputation as a powerful centre-forward has made him an attractive prospect for a number of clubs. Both Hull City in England’s Championship and German Bundesliga side Mainz were monitoring his situation earlier this summer, but Al-Jazeera’s willingness to match Red Star’s valuation appears to have placed them in pole position.
Red Star have long been aware of growing interest in Ndiaye and were open to letting him leave if a suitable offer arrived. The club’s participation in the Champions League qualifying rounds, however, meant any immediate transfer had to be delayed until those fixtures were completed.
With the play-off against Paphos now approaching, all indications suggest Ndiaye’s exit will be finalised once Red Star’s European campaign is clarified.
For Ndiaye, the transfer would represent another milestone in a career built on adaptability and persistence. After spells in Turkey with Göztepe and China with Shanghai Shenhua, he continued his rise in Croatia with Gorica before moving to Belgrade. At each stage, he has demonstrated his ability to adjust quickly to new styles of play and deliver consistently in front of goal.
His potential move to Al-Jazeera comes at a time when Middle Eastern clubs have become increasingly active in the transfer market, seeking to strengthen their squads with experienced international players.
Ndiaye’s proven scoring record, combined with his experience in European competitions, makes him a valuable addition to the Emirati side’s ambitions.
While Red Star will lose a reliable forward, the reported €8 million fee represents a significant financial gain that could aid the club in reinforcing other areas of the squad.
For Ndiaye, the chance to compete in yet another league provides both a personal challenge and an opportunity to further his career in one of football’s growing markets.
As negotiations move towards completion, attention remains on Red Star’s Champions League play-off fixtures, which may mark Ndiaye’s final appearances in the club’s colours.
