In recent months Saudi Arabia is in football news almost everyday for luring high profile footballers from European football clubs. The trend started in late 2022 when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League for an estimated €200 million on a 2-1/2 year contract after leaving Manchester United.
Recently Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté signed with Saudi Champions Al-Ittihad.
Similar in ambition to the Saudi-financed campaign to dominate golf through the new LIV series, Saudi Arabia’s plan appears to be a centralized effort, supported at the highest levels in Saudi Arabia, and financed by the kingdom’s huge sovereign wealth fund.
Saudi Arabia’s national league is offering some of the highest annual salaries in sports history, with deals potentially requiring over $1 billion for wages for some 20 foreign players.
The country aims to turn its national league into a destination for top talent for players across the globe, fueled by the desire to increase its influence on the sport and boost its profile as one of the bidders for the 2030 World Cup.
In this thread, let’s track the players who have moved and moving to Saudi League.
Also, how are the European football clubs reacting to Saudi Arabia’s attempts to lure their players?
Al Ahli are willing to offer Riyad Mahrez a contract worth €100 million plus bonuses to leave Manchester City, a source close to negotiations has told ESPN
A delegation including the Saudi Arabia club president Waleed Muaath has been in London this week discussing the possibility of deals with several players including Mahrez.
The Algeria forward has two years remaining on his existing agreement with City but sources have suggested he has become frustrated with a lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola this season.
Karim Benzema: “It’s a good league and Cristiano is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead.”
Karim Benzema will earn around €600M during his three-year spell in Saudi Arabia. 
