Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Marcelo Brozovic, Seko Fofana, Sadio Mané, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Riyad Mahrez, Neymar, Allan Saint-Maximin and Fabinho, to name a few … Last summer, Saudi Arabia struck a major blow on the football world. Ready to do anything to become a football stronghold, particularly with a view to the 2034 World Cup, the largest country in the Middle East with an area of more than two million square kilometers has not skimped on resources these last months. With millions, incredible salaries and various benefits, the Saudi Pro League has attracted the biggest names in this sport. A crazy but rather winning bet for the Saudi championship, today broadcast by Canal+ and constantly in the spotlight.
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In continuation of this strategy, as ambitious as it is worrying for the balance of the market, many European observers feared a new raid by Saudi Arabia during this winter transfer window. However, according to the latest daily news AS, the situation should be very different… Rather discreet since the opening of the market, the second largest country in the Arab world is asking questions. How can we explain this timid start since January 1? Why has Saudi Arabia not yet positioned itself on certain confirmed players free from any contract? Can we expect a new wave of arrivals? This Saturday, the Spanish media dropped a little bomb in this regard. The answer to all these questions would ultimately be found in the new strategy decided by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Saudi government, responsible for financing the signings of the country’s four major clubs (Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli).
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Al Ittihad is furious, feared departures…
Thus, according to the daily revelations, the PIF would have simply opted to turn off the taps, leaving each of the clubs, and their treasuries, to strengthen themselves in January. AS also specifies that each signature must be financially authorized through a series of complex requirements. Without the support of the PIF, there is no doubt that Saudi Arabia would have to be much wiser in the days to come. No offense to a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, still determined to see European stars join him. “The most important thing is that the championship is growing, that the players now want to come here because I know that the league is competitive. The whole world is watching the championship now, and I advise the big players to come here, they will be welcome», assured the Portuguese at the microphone of the Saudi press. A strong choice which, in any case, does not fail to upset certain teams within the championship. With this in mind, the supporters of Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema’s team, seventh in the ranking and far from the qualifying places for the Asian Champions League, did not fail to display their anger. And for good reason.
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In the event of a relatively calm transfer window, the Jeddah club will significantly reduce its chances of winning the title. Conversely, Al Hilal, a solid leader, will not see the numbers of its rivals strengthened and can therefore rejoice in this real turning point. A new strategy which should also have real consequences on the European market since departures to Saudi Arabia risk becoming more complex this winter. This Saturday, Sport affirmed for example that Raphinha was in Al Hilal’s sights but that the operation was, today, considered impossible. If the Spanish media does not give any reasons for the difficulties of this file, this positioning decided by the PIF could explain this reported outcome. Finally, and to make matters worse for the current situation, AS also recalls that many footballers have recently expressed a certain unease within their new environment. From Karim Benzema to Jordan Henderson via Roberto Firmino or even Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia could thus suffer a first wave of departures. A first grain of sand in a machine that seemed, until then, unstoppable…
Pub. 01/06/2024 6:00 p.m. Updated 01/06/2024 6:51 p.m.
2024-01-06 17:00:00
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