Since the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League has become a huge competitor in terms of transfers from the Premier League and other European divisions. With the massive transfer budget that Saudi Arabia has, who has left the Premier League to move to the Middle East and who is set to make a move soon?
Ruben Neves:
One of the biggest signings Saudi Arabia has made over recent months is the addition of 26-year-old Ruben Neves. For a fee of £47m, the Portuguese has left Wolves for Al Hilal and with an eye-watering contract being a big factor for his move. Neves spoke about the transfer, stating, ‘To give my family the life I always dreamed for them, this was, for me, the main reason that made me have no doubts about accepting the proposal.’
N’Golo Kante:
World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has left Chelsea to move to the Middle East. He has joined Al-Ittihad, along with Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Jota from Celtic. The 32-year-old has penned a three-year contract at the club, with his contract reportedly being worth a whopping £86m. A key figure in Chelsea’s midfield will definitely show his talent for his new side and will certainly be a big miss for the Blues, who are low on numbers in the midfield area.
Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy:
Roberto Firmino left Liverpool at the end of the season and made the move to Al-Ahli, whilst former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy left London to join the Brazilian at his new club as well. Both players have penned three-year contracts at their new club, with Firmino already featuring for the club, in their 18-0 pre-season win vs USV Stuhlfelden. There are also reports that the club have offered Fulham manager Marco Silva a two-year contract, worth over £35m, which would see him become the boss of Firmino and Mendy at Al-Ahli.
Riyad Mahrez:
Riyad Mahrez is set to leave the Premier League and sign for Al-Ahli, after a bid worth up to £30m was accepted for the winger. A nine-year stint in England could be brought to an end if the 32-year-old leaves Manchester City. According to an extremely reliable source in Fabrizio Romano, Mahrez has reportedly passed his medical at the club.
Jordan Henderson:
Jordan Henderson is set to complete a move to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. The Liverpool captain is about to see his wage triple in Saudi Arabia, with the English international reportedly set to earn £700K-a-week at his new club. Liverpool will receive a fee of £12m for their club captain, who will begin a new challenge under former Liverpool skipper Gerrard. The 33-year-old has agreed to sign a two-year contract with the side.
Fabinho
Liverpool could also lose another defensive midfielder, as Fabinho is in line to complete a move to Al-Ittihad. The Brazilian will reportedly cost the Saudi Arabian side £40m for his services, as he’s a key player for the Reds but they’d also be left without a first-team defensive midfielder.
