Unveiling Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Plans: The Transfer Takeover and Future Prospects

Saudi Arabia has been successful in acquiring some of the most sought-after football players this summer. The recent signings include Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined the Middle Eastern nation on a free transfer, and Karim Benzema, the Ballon D'Or winner, who chose to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia instead of continuing for another season.

As many as five Chelsea players are rumored to be leaving the Premier League side for the Saudi Pro League, joining the likes of Sergio Ramos, Bernardo Silva, and Heung-Min Son who have also reportedly received similar offers. We News' chief news reporter, Kaveh Solhekol, delves into the analysis of this transfer market trend.

Why are Saudi Arabia spending huge sums on foreign players all of a sudden?

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Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr earlier this year - and it has started a trend

Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its economy by venturing into other industries, aiming to secure its financial stability for the long term. Currently heavily reliant on oil revenues, the country recognizes the need to explore alternative sources of income. To achieve this objective, Saudi Arabia utilizes its sovereign wealth investment fund, known as the PIF.

They aim to expand their presence in the sports industry, with a specific focus on football, as part of their efforts to develop the leisure and entertainment sector. Recognizing the significant interest in football among the Saudi Arabian population, particularly the 70 percent who are under 40 years old, they are eager to tap into this enthusiasm.

Football holds immense popularity in Saudi Arabia, as demonstrated by their strong fan base at the Qatar World Cup in the previous year. It is worth noting that their team achieved a notable victory over eventual champions Argentina during the group stages. Additionally, they view football as a means to attract more tourists to the country.

They aim to elevate the league's already impressive standards to make it one of the world's top leagues. The primary strategy to achieve this goal is to attract top-tier players from across the globe. By doing so, they envision transforming the sport into a prominent economic sector within the country, becoming a significant industrial pillar.

Recognizing the immense interest among Saudi Arabia's population, the rulers have decided to capitalize on it. They have chosen to take control of the sports industry, ensuring that the profits generated stay within their borders. This strategic move not only aims to put Saudi Arabia on the global map but also seeks to enhance its overall reputation and standing.

What else is Saudi Arabia hoping to achieve?

In order to expand its global network, the country is actively investing in football clubs. This is why the PIF acquired Newcastle, as they aim to leverage the wealth of expertise in the game to nurture and develop their own players.

Improving the national team by establishing academies and enhancing the skills of young Saudi Arabian players is a key objective. Additionally, this endeavor encompasses strengthening international relationships and exerting influence on the global stage, particularly in competing with local rivals in the Middle East. The success of Qatar in hosting the World Cup has garnered significant attention.

Saudi Arabia is aiming to host the 2030 World Cup, potentially making it the first tournament to take place across three continents. The proposed joint bid with Greece (Europe) and Egypt (Africa) draws parallels to the birth of the Super League in China in 2004. This move saw notable players like Brazil's Oscar and West Ham's Marko Arnautovic relocate to the Far East.

Is it a 'flash in the pan' - or a long-term aim?

The Chinese Super League experienced a significant shift when the president issued a direct order, expressing his desire for China to host the World Cup, develop a strong national team, and establish a thriving domestic league. However, the ruling Communist Party in China later had a change of perspective. Concerned about the substantial outflow of money to Europe and foreigners, they implemented various regulations to limit the number of foreign players allowed in the Chinese Super League.

Saudi Arabia's ambitions are focused on the long-term, aided by its substantial financial resources. Moreover, there is a distinct impression that they are fully committed to achieving their goals. It is evident that this is a gradual process, and it is unlikely to dissipate hastily. Reliable sources have informed We News that Saudi Arabia aspires to have the top-notch expertise of 100 foreign players participating in its league within the upcoming five years.

Saudi Arabian clubs have shown their ambitious approach by attempting to attract top football talents like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the latter rejecting a massive $400m-a-year offer to join MLS instead. However, the pursuit continues as Ruben Neves is on the brink of joining Al Hilal, and negotiations are underway for five Chelsea players including Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech to make a move to Saudi Arabia. As for the future, it remains uncertain whether clubs in Saudi Arabia will target players such as Erling Haaland or Harry Kane, as no player has been excluded from the possibility of being lured to the Arabian peninsula.

Has Saudi Arabia distorted the transfer market forever?

This summer has revealed a new trend where Saudi clubs are being mentioned in every transfer deal. Even players like Heung-Min Son, who were previously considered untouchable at Tottenham, are now attracting serious interest. Despite Tottenham's stance that Son is not available for sale, the speculation continues.

Saudi Arabia has the financial resources to acquire any player they desire, provided the player is willing to relocate there. Although many players in their prime would decline such an opportunity, there has been a slight shift in this trend with the case of Neves from Wolves. At the age of 26, and at the pinnacle of his career, Neves has opted to embark on this move, likely influenced by the substantial financial benefits it offers.

So it has changed the transfer market as clubs have serious competition from Saudi Arabia - a very lucrative market has opened up.

Are Chelsea using Saudi Arabia to get round their Financial Fair Play issues after spending £600m?

There has been much discussion about this topic in recent days. Chelsea, having spent £600m in previous transfer windows, now finds itself in need of selling players in order to balance their financial situation. Surprisingly, the Saudi investors have emerged and expressed their interest in acquiring Chelsea players, offering a substantial £100m. This sudden development has raised eyebrows among observers, who find it peculiar that Chelsea has seemingly found a solution to their financial challenges. Additionally, there have been suggestions that the PIF of Saudi Arabia, which owns the four Saudi Arabian clubs interested in the Chelsea players, has invested in Clearlake Capital, a private equity fund that holds a majority stake in Chelsea. This has prompted further investigation into any potential unusual connections.

According to our sources, this matter is unrelated. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund actively invests in numerous private equity funds globally, and Clearlake happens to be one of them with investments in 400 diverse companies. Chelsea firmly asserts that there is absolutely no conflict of interest in this situation.