Saudi Arabia is currently luring some major names in Europe to relocate east for one last large payoff, just like the Chinese Super League stomped its way onto the scene some years ago with enormous transfer fees and player salaries.
That comes after the December 2022 transfer of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad – Karim Benzema
Benzema now 35 years has agreed to join Al-lttihad from Real Madrid following the ending of his contract. Benzama has been a top striker for Real Madrid.
His performances during the 2021/22 season – when Real won the Champions League and La Liga double – saw the Frenchman collect the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the men’s game last year.
He has won 5 champions league titles and 3 Laliga titles with Real Madrid over 14 seasons.
Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham, who was reportedly the most wanted player in soccer this summer, joins Real Madrid for the 2019-2020 season after the Spanish club reportedly paid Borussia Dortmund a whopping €103 million ($110.4 million) for his services.
Bellingham, who is still only 19 years old, moved from his hometown club Birmingham City to Dortmund in 2020 and has since developed into one of the soccer’s most complete midfielders. He has also become a major member of the English national squad.
Real Madrid will be hoping that Bellingham will be a start midfielder for years to come once the aging Luka Modric and Toni Kroos exit after a dismal season.
Chelsea to Al-Ittihad – N’Golo Kanté
Following the expiration of his Chelsea contract at the end of June, N’Golo Kanté, the all-action midfielder who has earned recognition as one of the best midfielders of his generation, quickly joined Benzema at Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.
According to UK media, the 32-year-old midfielder has agreed to a deal worth approximately £86 million ($109.8 million) annually.
In his 8 years in England, Kante won the Club World Cup, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, and two Premier League championships the first as a member of Leicester City’s incredible 5000-1 victory.
Though he had injury issues last season, his almost superhuman fitness is what really sticks out. Since he first arrived in England in 2015 with Leicester, Kanté’s work rate has been so extraordinary that he is frequently referred to as covering the ground of two midfielders by himself.
Wolves to Al hilal – Ruben Neves
Neves might not be the most famous person to take his abilities to Saudi Arabia, but the midfielder’s rumored £47 million transfer to Al Hilal is noteworthy because he is still only 26 years old.
Up before his transfer, only players nearing the end of their careers made the switch to the SPL.
The acquisition is a huge victory for Al Hilal and the league overall, especially given that Neves apparently had interest from Barcelona. However, given that the Portugal international still has one year left on his contract, questions have been raised about the size of the transfer fee.
For a player who could leave for free next season, no team in Europe would have paid even close to the amount.
After joining Wolves when they were in the Championship, the second tier of English football, Neves has been a standout for the club. Neves’ play has only gotten better after they were promoted to the Premier League, where he has cemented his position as the team’s greatest player and captain.
