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Saudi Becomes the New Ground for Football, Football Giants who can join Saudi Arabia League
- Updated: June 7, 2023
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One of its main themes has already been set, even if the summer transfer window has not yet begun.
Although the Middle Eastern kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never been a popular destination for footballers, it is keen to change that. After signing Cristiano Ronaldo in December and snagging Karim Benzema after he left Real Madrid, the Saudi Pro League is attempting to get some additional high-profile athletes.
In a trend which bears a striking resemblance to the Chinese Super League, which attracted the likes of Oscar, Yannick Carrasco, Hulk, Paulinho and Axel Witzel in its golden era between 2016 and 2019, Saudi Arabia is becoming the hottest destination for well-known players of a certain age.
Saudi Arabia is vying to host the 2030 World Cup and is willing to spend astronomical sums of money to establish itself as a football-playing nation. High salaries are luring some players to leave Europe’s top five leagues for the Saudi Pro League, where Ronaldo is reportedly paid £177 million annually by Al-Nassr.
The most eye-catching name is, of course, Lionel Messi. The World Cup winner is poised to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June and one of the options presented to him comes from Al-Hilal.
Reports in France say Al-Hilal have also made offers to sign Sergio Busquets (34), Jordi Alba (34) and Marco Verratti (30) in an effort to convince Messi of their project.
According to The Times, Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris , 36, could triple his salary to £300,000-a-week if he moved to an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia. Roberto Firmino , who is leaving Liverpool after eight years of service at the age of 31, has also received a hugely lucrative offer from a Saudi club.
Hugely experienced stars like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric (37) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Sergio Ramos (37) have also been approached by representatives of Saudi clubs, according to AFP. While securing Benzema’s signature for a whopping €200m (£172m) per season at Al-Ittihad, agents also approached Modric, while those working on the Messi transfer spoke to Ramos’ team.
Firmino isn’t the only Premier League star considering a move, either. Ilkay Gundogan , who stands on the brink of completing an historic Treble as captain of Manchester City, has been offered a move to Saudi Arabia when his current deal expires.
N’Golo Kante , who has rarely been seen in a Chelsea shirt this season, is another high profile target, as reported by the Guardian. Both Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr have sent representatives to London armed with €100m (£86m) to try and sign the 32-year-old midfielder whose Chelsea contract is about to expire.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to leave Chelsea and has been approached by Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab, clubs in which Saudi’s Public Investment Fund recently took 75 per cent stakes in.
Source:- The Mirror
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