Al-Ahli have reportedly opened talks with Atletico Madrid to sign World Cup-winning midfield enforcer Rodrigo de Paul.

The Argentina hardman is now the Saudi club's top priority after Napoli's Piotr Zielinski snubbed their advance. 

Negotiations with Atletico have been described as 'not easy' and Diego Simeone's side will drive a hard bargain for one of their key players who embodies their tenacious playing philosophy. 

Al-Ahli have already spent close to £123million this summer on a host of players from the Premier League and European clubs, most notably Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez. 

Now they are looking to add a defensive midfield lynchpin to their star quality on their return to the Saudi top flight, as per Fabrizio Romano.

De Paul would link up with not only Mahrez, but Roberto Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Edouard Mendy if he were to head to the Saudi club. 

He would also find former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie, ex-Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez, and once Atalanta defender Medih Demiral.

The 29-year-old has spent two seasons under the tutelage of Simeone.

Prior the his stint at the Civitas Metropolitano, he was at Udinese, Valencia, and Racing Club in Argentina.