Is Saudi Football a threat to the European leagues?

opethdisciple

opethdisciple

opethdisciple

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So I am noticing now that a lot of players who are in their prime are deciding to go off and play in the Saudi Pro league.

I understand players who are in the last few years of their footballing careers and want one last big payday going to the MLS etc... but the Saudi League signing players who are still in their prime and who would have otherwise gone off to play for a European team I think is a major risk to the European Leagues imo.

It was Arsene Wenger who years back warned that the Chinese League was going to be the one to challenge Europe for the best league but it never materialised, however I argue we are actually seeing it now with the likes of Ruben Neves, Mendy, Bernado Silva possibly Tomas Partey all deciding to go to play in Saudi Arabia.

The other problem is the amount of money in Saudi Football. Those clubs can blow any European team out of the water when it comes to transfer fees and wages.

This could have a dangerous effect on European football.

We in Europe have to abide by the financial fair play laws, but I imagine there is no such thing in Saudi Football so how on earth are we going to compete if the Saudi teams want to buy top European talent?

I imagine at some point UEFA and the governing bodies of each European League will eventually need to have a sit down and think about this situation because it will have a big effect on European football both good (selling clubs) and bad (top talent going to Saudi football rather than Europe) at some point.

Imagine if Bellingham hadn't of gone to Real Madrid but was signed by Al Hilal instead.

100 million transfer fee and £500k a week wages. (basically whatever Madrid offer we will offer more)
 
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I think you're missing the point. This is just the beginning.

Every snowball starts out small when you start rolling.

If they can convice a couple of players this season, 5 next, 10 after that, 20 then 40 etc etc... then in no time at all they will have loads of top players in their league over then next 5+ years.
 
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So now Brozovic is off to Saudi Arabia.

It's not just one or two.... The window is just open and we've probably got at least 5.

Neves (in their prime)
Kante
Bemzema
Partey (not confirmed but only 30)
Brozovic (only 30)
Ziyech (in their prime)

And there are other Chelsea players rumoured. Koulibaly etc....

This is just the first window. Imagine what it's gonna look like over the space of the next 5-10 + years.
 
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Personality+ said:
That's true but to spark interest for me to even consider watching.. retiree marquee signings won't work. CR7 hasn't got me watching as he's not at his peak.
They need a player that can produce stardust now, Neymar seems like the one to go for to get me watching... but we will see how this all pans out after the summer transfer window.
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Well watching the Saudi League games never really occurred to me simply because even now I don't watch other Premier League games unless they are big games that affect the table position of the team I support.

Even if they had the best teams in the world I probably still wouldn't watch it.

I dont watch the El Classico for example.

I'm more concerned about the weakening of the European game.
 
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Can no one see Mbappe to Saudi Arabia happening?

I'm saying it now, that in a few days/week if this Mbappe story is real that he might leave PSG then I expect journalists and news article to start coming out talking about this being a possibility.

Here's my reasoning.

I am of the understanding there is a bit of stand-off happening between PSG and Mbappe. Mbappe has one year left of a contract and has stated he will not sign a new contract.

PSG have stated that if you do not sign a new contract you will be sold.

Ok, so the logical thing we can get from this is that Mbappe is leaving PSG.

I think this scenario has probably come out of the blue for the top clubs in Europe including even Real Madrid who where probably thinking we will move for Mbappe when he is a free agent next summer.

So no European club right now has £150 mill + the wages to spend on Mbappe.

So were does he go???

He's not staying in Paris and no European side can afford him.

To me the only sides that can put together the financials to make this deal happen right now are in Saudi Arabia.

PSG are owned by Qataris. I think it would be very easy for the Qatari owners to broker a deal with a Saudi club.

This could be the moment Saudi football has been waiting for to really announce them selves as a serious destination for top players.

The moment is set up perfectly.
 
Shamikebab said:
How exactly are PSG going to force that
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No idea but that's what the news articles are saying.

Plus PSG will not let him got for free next summer.

So its sign or get sold from there perspective.

As well as that there are reports the rest of the squad are not happy with things Mbappe has said either. So the whole thing is starting to brew.
 
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