“Only finished players like cristiano ronaldo will go to that camels league”, this is what most Messi fans like saying.
Earlier this month, UEFA president, Aleksandr Ceferin, when asked during a press conference what he feels about this transfer tsunami sweeping high-profile talents in Europe away to Saudi Arabia, he dismissed it with a wave of the hand saying: “I think that it’s mainly a mistake for Saudi Arabian football”. “Why is that a problem for them? Because they should invest in academies, they should bring coaches, and they should develop their own players.”
“The system of buying the players that almost ended their careers is not the system that develops football,” he added. “It was a similar mistake in China when they all brought players who were at the end of their career”.
Here are 5 players in their prime going to Saudi Arabia
1. Riyad Mahrez
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has been linked with a move Al-Ahli – provided the Saudi Arabian club offer a good fee for the Algerian star, Mahrez has what it takes to shine than ever before in Saudi Arabia.
2. Moussa Diaby
Diaby has been in the spotlight recently, with rumours linking him to both Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. But the wait is almost over, as this week, it’s been reported that he’s close to making a decision about his future.
Both Al Nassr and Villa have agreed on a transfer fee with his current club Leverkusen, but unfortunately Diaby turned down Saudi Arabia’s offer to play for Aston Villa, he would have been a great asset over there.
3. Allan Saint-Maximin
Allan Saint-Maximin’s future at Newcastle United looks increasingly uncertain as Saudi interest in the winger intensifies.
The 26-year-old was left out of Newcastle’s travelling party as they took on Rangers on Tuesday night after a bid was received to take him to the Saudi Pro League. Newcastle rate Saint-Maximin close to the £40m mark and that sort of fee does not seem unreasonable for a player of his age, ability and experience.
4. Ruben Neves
Players in their prime like Reuben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed a move for a ridiculously high amount of money. The 26-year-old Portuguese international reportedly sets Al-Hilal back by about $60 million
5. Alex Telles
Alex Telles’ £4million move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr is back on despite concerns it may have fallen through.
The deal had been agreed between United and the Saudi Arabian club, and Telles even posed in an Al-Nassr shirt after agreeing personal terms of £7m-a-year.
But there was speculation in the Middle East that Al-Nassr had walked away from the deal and were looking at other left-back.
options.
