It has been the story of the summer: the sudden upsurge of big names to the Saudi Pro League.
Now yes, as a destination for top players to head for a final big pay day at the tail end of their careers, it is ideal.
Think Cristiano Ronaldo whose move kickstarted the influx in January and, most recently, another Real Madrid legend, Karim Benzema.
What I didn’t see coming was what has duly followed.
You could argue developments have helped Chelsea out no end as they have bid farewell to a group of big earners and been able to ease their spiralling wage bill.
Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy and N’Golo Kanté all departed to the Middle East in recent weeks and they would have been joined there by Hakim Ziyech had his £8 million move to Al-Nassr not collapsed after a knee problem was flagged up during the winger’s medical.
Elsewhere though, why would a player approaching his peak of his career leave one of the major five leagues in Europe for what, for now at least, remains a footballing outpost.
I am thinking about Wolves captain Ruben Neves who left for Al-Hilal for a club record £47 million after six seasons at Molineux.
If he was 36 that would be understandable but at the age of 26!
Now, just like Chelsea, the situation at Wolves is understandable to a degree.
Both clubs have been facing difficult decisions around recruitment this summer as they try to keep within the Premier League’s three-year limit on losses of £105m under Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Chelsea spent more than £400m in transfers last season, while Wolves posted a £46.1m loss last year and boss Julen Lopetegui last month admitted the club must “solve” FFP issues to compete in the top flight.
Wolves had thought Neves would join Barcelona but the fee agreed with Al-Hilal was far higher than anticipated.
In addition, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has left Lazio for Saudi Arabia and Pro League clubs are also closing on deals to buy the forwards Malcom and Aleksandar Mitrovic from Zenit St Petersburg and Fulham respectively.
So is this a sign of things to come or could it be a bit like the boom of the Chinese Super League which, for a brief period, attracted much interest and paid huge sums to attract high-profile players, such as former Manchester United and City forward Carlos Tevez.
Such levels of spending didn’t last.
Incidentally, the players who did go there, faded into obscurity in many ways and showed a lack of ambition given their age and potential.
Either way, there will be plenty of Saudi Pro League highlights next summer with such big names but, regardless of finance, how long can it last.
How much value do players give to winning the Saudi League or the Asian Cup? In this SBOTOP observer’s view, probably not too much.
Does it open a door to Saudi clubs playing in UEFA competitions? Surely not.
Of course, if it did, that would be a game-changer but I cannot see that happening which is why it is difficult to see a player regarded by many as the best in the world, Kylian Mbappé, heading the same way.
The move comes after Paris Saint-Germain left Mbappe out of their squad for their pre-season tour of Japan, determined to sell him unless he signs a new contract. PSG will accept Al-Hilal’s offer but there have been no talks between Al-Hilal and Mbappe, and PSG remain convinced the 24-year-old has agreed terms to join Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
Will it happen? I don’t think so but, either way, there will be far more interest in what is going on in the Middle East next term and that could be just the start. Love it or loathe it, people are talking about the Saudi Pro League!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
