Decoding the Factors Influencing Premier League Stars to Join the Saudi Pro League
The recent influx of Premier League stars signing with the Saudi Pro League has sparked curiosity regarding the underlying motivations. Despite calls for a halt in player transfers to Saudi Arabia to preserve “integrity,” the steady stream of deals suggests no signs of slowing down.
Ruben Neves, the 26-year-old captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers, made headlines when he joined Al-Hilal for a club-record fee of £47 million. This transfer signifies a significant milestone for the Molineux club. Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League has set its sights on Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as their latest potential acquisition. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante have already made similar moves, albeit in the later stages of their careers. There were even rumors of Lionel Messi considering a move to the league before his transfer to the United States.
Interestingly, the Saudi Pro League’s interest extends beyond players nearing retirement. Rising stars like Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea, as well as Thomas Partey from Arsenal, have also attracted attention. These signings highlight the league’s ambition to position itself among the top five leagues worldwide.
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville, among others, has raised concerns about the implications of this growing trend. In June, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already owns Newcastle United, confirmed its acquisition of four prominent clubs in the country, including Al-Nassr, who signed Cristiano Ronaldo in December. While uncertainties remain about PIF’s stake in Chelsea’s ultimate owners, club sources have dismissed claims of direct involvement.
Neville has called on the Premier League to implement an immediate transfer embargo to safeguard the game’s integrity. He urges thorough scrutiny of the transactions and emphasizes the need to investigate Chelsea’s ownership structure and potential improper transfer dealings. Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules have compelled English clubs like Chelsea and Wolves to make strategic decisions in player recruitment to comply with the Premier League’s three-year limit on losses (£105 million).
Chelsea’s extensive spending of over £400 million in transfers last season and Wolves’ £46.1 million loss have posed challenges in navigating FFP regulations. Initially, Wolves anticipated Neves joining Barcelona this summer, but the unexpected £47 million deal with Al-Hilal for the Portuguese midfielder surpassed their expectations.
While Uefa has refrained from commenting on the issue, multi-club ownership is permitted by the European governing body. The Premier League has a fair value assessment system in place to ensure that transactions, both commercial and transfer-related, occur at market value. A similar mechanism is facilitated by FIFA’s transfer matching system.
The Saudi Pro League seeks to bolster its reputation and global presence through increased investment in football. With a long-established history and recent hosting of Formula 1 races, high-profile boxing matches, and the establishment of LIV Golf, the league has garnered significant interest. The controversial Newcastle takeover exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to make its mark on the global stage, with a joint 2030 World Cup bid planned alongside Egypt and Greece.
Although comparisons have been drawn to the Chinese Super League due to initial spending sprees, the Saudi Pro League believes it operates on more sustainable foundations. League sources emphasize its establishment in the 1970s, the genuine fan base of clubs, and its status as the top sport in the country. Saudi Arabia’s PIF involvement and ownership of the top four clubs are viewed as catalysts for transforming the league into a viable business model, fostering club development, corporate growth, and brand evolution, thereby reshaping the football economy within Saudi Arabia.
The rise of the Saudi Pro League poses a challenge for European football, potentially resulting in the departure of players in their prime. European clubs may struggle to compete by matching the astronomical.
