Al-Qadsiah firm: Quiñones is simply not for sale

Speculation over the future of Julián Quiñones, whose name began to be linked with Europe's giants after he shone at the World Cup, has been largely cooled by a reliable source. According to transfer specialist Ben Jacobs, the Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah, where the Mexican striker plays, regard the player as "not for sale." Jacobs also stated clearly that, contrary to the reports, Chelsea have not made any bid for the player.

The process was sparked by a report in the Saudi press. According to the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, and subsequently shared by some English outlets, Chelsea had submitted a formal offer to sign Quiñones this summer. However, Jacobs' statement made clear that these claims do not reflect reality at this stage.

At the heart of Al-Qadsiah's determination to hold on to the player lie both Quiñones' extraordinary form and a precaution the club took in advance. The Saudi side renewed the player's contract until 2029 before the World Cup, guarding against possible offers from Europe, a move designed both to keep hold of their striker and to strategically raise his exit price in the event of a sale.

The reason for the interest in the 29-year-old is clear. Scoring four goals at the World Cup with the Mexico national team, the striker was one of the tournament's standout names. That display came off the back of a superb season in an Al-Qadsiah shirt, in which the player claimed the Saudi Pro League's top-scorer crown, finishing ahead of the likes of Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo. At this stage, no official statement has come from either the English club or the Saudi side.

Source: Ben Jacobs

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