The next 8 stars eyed by Saudi Pro League including Fabinho and Mahrez
The mega-rich Saudi Pro League is certainly throwing its financial weight around in this summer's transfer window.
Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Ruben Neves have all already completed moves to the Middle East country. Many of those top players have been drawn in by the offer of huge wages, with their clubs happy to accept large fees for them.
But the recruitment drive is far from over, with players from across the Premier League and Europe the subject of interest from Saudi sides. Here, Mirror Football looks at the next eight players who could make moves to the Saudi Pro League.
Fabinho
Arguably the closest to following the likes of Kante and Neves is Liverpool midfielder Fabinho. The Brazilian is being eyed by Al-Ittihad, who have submitted a £40million bid to the Reds.
As a result of that interest, the 29-year-old was dropped from the squad which travelled to Germany for a training camp. He has been given permission to complete the final stages of the transfer such as undergoing a medical and coming to an agreement on personal terms, discussions which remain ongoing.
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Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is desperate to leave Chelsea, though Al-Hilal appear to be his only option (Getty Images)Belgian international Romelu Lukaku is desperate to leave Chelsea this summer, with little hope of a future at Stamford Bridge. His desired option is to return to Inter Milan permanently after spending last season on loan at the San Siro.
But Inter are struggling to stump up the cash Chelsea are demanding for their striker. He has also received an offer worth £45m-per-year from Saudi side Al-Hilal, though has previously insisted he will only leave the Blues for Inter.
With little sign yet that the Serie A side can find the money to pay Chelsea though, that offer from the Saudi Pro League may be the only way Lukaku can end his Stamford Bridge nightmare.
Fred
Fred could move to Saudi with his time at Manchester United appearing to be at an end (Visionhaus/Getty Images)With his career at Manchester United appearing to be edging towards a conclusion, Fred may be looking for an exit from Old Trafford. Though Fulham are offering a move to another Premier League club, the midfielder could opt to move to Saudi.
Teams in the Middle East country are monitoring his situation, with the Red Devils keen to sign Sofyan Amrabat, which would all but signal the end of the Brazilian's time as a United player.
Allan Saint-Maximin
Newcastle are keen to sell Allan Saint-Maximin to Al-AhliWith Newcastle keen to sign Leicester star Harvey Barnes, the Magpies are ready to sell attacker Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman has already opened talks with Al-Ahli over a potential move.
The Saudi side are owned by the country's Public Investment Fund, who also own Newcastle. Talks are at early stages, though should progress quickly. Barnes is valued at £35m, with Newcastle seeking a similar fee for Saint-Maximin.
Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson's mega-move to Al-Ettifaq is stalling (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)The move that has sparked the biggest backlash has been Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson's. The England international has frequently spoken of his support for the LGBT+ community, though is leaning towards agreeing a move to a country that outlaws homosexuality.
Henderson has been offered an astronomic £700,000 per week wage by Al-Ettifaq. Though the Reds skipper is ready to accept that offer, the deal has stalled in talks over the fee Ettifaq would have to pay.
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The Saudi side had been hoping for a bargain deal for the midfielder, or even a free transfer. Liverpool though are adamant that it will take a fee in the region of £20m to tempt them into selling their skipper.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Aleksandar Mitrovic is keen to leave Fulham for the Saudi Pro League (Getty Images)Fulham's star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the subject of intense interest from Al-Hilal. Mitrovic has impressed under Marco Silva at the Cottagers, helping them to secure a top-half finish last season.
Al-Hilal have already made two bids for the Serbian, with the latest worth close to £30m. Fulham have insisted they will not sell Mitrovic though and are holding firm in that stance, rejecting both bids.
But Sky Sports report that Mitrovic is keen to leave Craven Cottage and has even personally reached out to vice-chairman Tony Khan to request he be allowed to depart.
Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez is closing in on a move to Saudi after a highly successful spell at Manchester City (Getty Images)Having won five Premier League titles across spells with Leicester and Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez looks set to leave England for Saudi Arabia. Al-Alhi have offered him £25m-per-year in wages, terms he has approved.
Given Mahrez is clearly keen to leave the Etihad Stadium, City are ready to accept a bid of £30m for the winger. A medical is understood to have been scheduled for this week, with City having accepted that the Algerian wants to depart.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has endured a dreadful second spell at Juventus and has been offered a move to Al-Ahli (DeFodi Images via Getty Images)Paul Pogba's return to Juventus has been nothing short of a disaster, with an ACL injury during pre-season last summer scuppering his hopes of having a successful first campaign back in Turin.
Given the doubts that remain over the midfielder and their financial situation, Juve could be prepared to sell him. Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli have offered the Frenchman a three-year deal worth £85m.
Before pushing ahead, they will check his physical condition, though Juve are only seeking a small fee for the midfielder. The Serie A side will agree to sell him if Pogba requests a move, with the terms of the contract having been verbally agreed with his agent.
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