Chelsea outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi courted by Saudi Pro League clubs | OneFootball

Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi could surprisingly leave Europe at an early stage of his career after becoming a target for two Saudi Pro League clubs.

According to The Athletic, the Blues are ready to listen to offers for the 22-year-old winger, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires next summer.

Having progressed through the youth academy, Hudson-Odoi signed his first senior contract with Chelsea in 2019, penning a five-year deal after rejecting a move to Bayern Munich.

Unfortunately, a series of injury setbacks that year slowed his development, turning him into a bit-part player and ultimately forcing his temporary exit last summer.

The Englishman switched to Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the 2022/23 season. But after only managing one goal and one assist from 21 outings, he failed to earn a permanent deal at the BayArena.

He’ll return to his homeland to join Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-season squad, hoping to secure another chance to showcase his value at the Bridge.

Hudson-Odoi has made 126 senior appearances for Chelsea, tallying 16 goals and 22 assists.

That count is unlikely to change, with the Saudi Pro League clubs setting their sights on him after luring another Blues star, N’Golo Kante, to the Middle East earlier this month.

Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy may soon board a plane to follow the Frenchman over to Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli rapidly moving to take them away from the Premier League.

Most players to have swapped Europe for the Gulf country are either in the autumn of their playing careers or at least in their 30s.

By contrast, Hudson-Odoi is still young and ambitious.

He may not be overly enthusiastic about ditching the opportunity to succeed at the highest level in favour of making an insane amount of money in a mid-level competition.

Stranger things have happened, though.