Saudi Arabia plan Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah swoops in new spending spree

06 August 2023 , 06:51

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Saudi Arabia plan Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah swoops in new spending spree

The Saudi Pro League are already targeting more big names including Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah for fresh money no object raids next year.

Already they have changed the footballing landscape by securing established Premier League stars including De Bruyne’s Manchester City team-mate Riyad Mahrez, Salah’s Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Allan Saint-Maximin and N’Golo Kante. Al-Hilal launched an astonishing £259million bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar Kylian Mbappe with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitting: “The Saudi league has completely changed the market.”

Once Al-Ahli made a move for Mahrez, complete with sky high wages, Guardiola accepted there was little hope of keeping the player, an integral part of City’s treble winning season. “Riyad got an incredible offer and that’s why we couldn’t say ‘Don’t do it’,” he said.

Now City and other Premier League clubs are bracing themselves for more disruption to their squads as the state backed league has money to burn meaning no player in Europe is out of reach. Top managers are also in the Pro League’s sights with Steven Gerrard, Nuno Espirito Santo, Slavin Bilic and Robbie Fowler already ensconced in the Middle East.

Fulham ’s Marco Silva recently turned down a £40 million two year contract to take charge of Al Ahli. But others are certain to be tempted as the Pro League goes from strength to strength with each club allowed to make seven foreign signings.

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Another concern for Premier League clubs is that this season’s Saudi business hasn’t been completed with their transfer window not closing until September 20th – 19 days after the Premier League’s signings deadline. That leaves clubs vulnerable to losing players they can’t replace.

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Mohamed Salah and Kevin de Bruyne are both likely to be targeted by Saudi clubs (GETTY)

The world record attempt to bring arguably the world’s best player, Mbappe, to the oil rich state has been a wake up call for Europe’s top leagues including the Premier League.

A Pro League executive told Sunday Mirror/ Sunday People sport: “This is just the beginning. The League’s budget is astronomical and there is already interest from leading international players in England to move over here.

“With the personal rewards on offer it’s a life changing situation which few players will be able to resist. You can bet that more top players will be arriving again next year.”

John Richardson