The Saudi Pro League, following the high-profile acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year, has set its sights on two more of football's biggest stars: Neymar Jr. of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona. The league's aggressive approach in the transfer market has been fueled by Ronaldo's successful transition and the subsequent global attention it garnered.
Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in January, following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with Manchester United, brought a significant spotlight to the Saudi Pro League. The league's profile was further elevated when Real Madrid forward and current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema chose to join Saudi champions Al-Ittihad over renewing his contract with the Spanish giants.
The Saudi clubs' confidence in their ability to attract top-tier European players has been bolstered by these high-profile transfers. Despite an unsuccessful attempt to land Lionel Messi, the clubs have continued to make lucrative offers to players from Europe's top leagues.
The most talked-about potential transfer involves PSG's Kylian Mbappe. Al-Hilal has reportedly tabled a staggering $1.1 billion offer for the French forward. PSG is keen on the deal, which would prevent them from losing Mbappe on a free transfer next summer. The proposed contract with Al-Hilal is only for a year, allowing Mbappe to pursue his dream of joining Real Madrid in 2024.
Will Real Madrid be able to get Bayern Munich's superstar Robert Lewandowski?
The Saudi Pro League's ambition doesn't stop there. According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, the Ministry of Sport of Saudi Arabia has earmarked a total budget of £17 billion for player transfers over a seven-year period until 2030. This budget is expected to facilitate the acquisition of more big-name players.
Neymar Jr., despite being under contract with PSG, could be lured by a £172m a year contract with Al-Hilal. Lewandowski, who is currently focused on his career with FC Barcelona, has also reportedly been added to the Saudi clubs' target list.
While some high-profile players remain unconvinced, the Saudi Pro League has already managed to secure agreements with several other stars. Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez has agreed to join Al-Ahli on a £500,000-a-week contract, joining former Chelsea player Edouard Mendy. Another former Chelsea player, Kalidou Koulibaly, is now with Al-Hilal.
The Saudi Pro League's aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent is reshaping the global football landscape. As the league continues to attract more stars, it will be interesting to see how this impacts the balance of power in international football.
Neymar again emerges as Barcelona's priority summer signing following reports that Barca captain Lionel Messi intends to exit from the club immediately.
