Saudi Arabia’s exorbitant transfer campaign does not stop despite failing to bring Messi

The failed attempt to Lionel Messi has in no way diminished the ambitious campaign of signings in Saudi Arabiathat with its immense oil wealth tries to establish itself as a profitable destination for best soccer players in the world.

After luring Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, the Saudis — amid allegations of ‘sportswashing’ — have set out to attract other high-profile players from the best leagues in Europe.

Midfielder N’Golo Kante, the world champion with France and Champions League winner with Chelsea, became the latest figure to join the lucrative Saudi professional league on Wednesday, signing a three-year deal to join Benzema in the Al Ittihad.

“This is part of the club’s efforts to establish itself as one of the first choices for world-class footballers in the Saudi Professional League”Al-Ittihad said in a statement.

Messi was not seduced by the sidereal figures of money. The Argentine star decided not to continue at Paris Saint-Germain and opted to play at Inter Miami of the MLS, instead of the Middle East.

But several other stars from English Premier League clubs, including Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ruben Neves, are expected to follow in Kante’s footsteps in the coming weeks.

Chelsea offered Kante a new contract to continue at Stamford Bridge. But as Real Madrid discovered in the case of Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or winner, money talks. According to press reports, Kante will earn more than 100 million for the duration of his contract.

In the case of Benzema, andThe French gunner will pocket $107 million per year on his three-year deal.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December by agreeing to a deal that would reach $200 million a year.

By the time the impressive signing came to fruition, the intentions of the Saudis were not entirely clear, beyond capitalizing on the image of the Portuguese star to shore up the profile of their league.

Now it is evident that the signing of the former Real Madrid and Manchester United was just the first piece in a massive recruitment in order for their domestic tournament to become a world reference.

Right now, the Saudi league is several steps below the top divisions in Europe and South America.

Cristiano downplayed the criticism by stating in January that the league was “very competitive”.

“People ignore that, but I am clear about it because I have seen many games”, he pointed. “My stage in Europe is over. I won everything I could earn and played with the biggest clubs in Europe. This is a new challenge”.

For players, ignoring such offers is impossible.

Salaries and trade deals for Cristiano, Benzema and Kante could net them a combined figure of close to $1 billion.

Other countries have embarked on similar projects in the past.

MLS has imported renowned footballers such as David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and now Messi. Previously, the defunct North American Soccer League — in particular the New York Cosmos — brought together Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore and George Best in its ranks.

China did the same since 2015, with the acquisitions of Carlos Tevez, Alexandre Pato and Hulk, but their plan did not prosper.

This appears to be just the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s plans to consolidate their league while expanding their global influence in the sport.

The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund has acquired majority shares in four of the country’s top clubs, including Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, as part of a national project encouraging public sector bodies to invest in sports.

Soccer clubs are considered a priority under the initiative backed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

The fund is estimated to be worth around $700 billion, and it has already acquired Premier League club Newcastle and launched the controversial LIV golf tour, which is about to merge with the PGA.

Source: AP