A Saudi official has warned that the state are intent on landing top stars from Europe this summer, including Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
Over the past few weeks, there have been a string of transfer stories involving clubs in the Saudi Pro League going after players in Europe.
Karim Benzema recently completed a move to Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid, following his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East.
N’Golo Kante is also joining, and Ruben Neves is on the verge of completing a move to Al Hilal.
More players could follow those guys, with Chelsea trio Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech all linked with moves to SPL clubs.
A few City players have also been linked with Saudi clubs, and now an official has sent a message of defiance amid their plan to grow the league.
Saudi official says they hope to sign Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva among others this summer
Saudi clubs have mainly been looking at players towards the end of their playing careers.
But now there is seemingly a focus on targeting stars who are in their primes. Some City players have already been linked.
According to Hafez Al-Medlej, a Saudi who heads the marketing committee of the Asian Football Confederation, the state will be looking to add the cream of the crop to raise the profile of the SPL. And he sees Bernardo as a part of their plans to do that.
Responding to remarks made by UEFA president Alexander Ceferin, he told newspaper Koura (via SPORT): “We do not sign players who are finished. Al Hilal will sign Ruben Neves, who is 26 years old and who Barcelona wanted. And Benzema arrived at Al-Ittihad after winning a Ballon d’Or at Real Madrid. We hope that Bernardo Silva arrives from Manchester City, and we should also start working on the signing of Mohamed Salah.”
It has been reported that Bernardo has received a lucrative offer to play in the SPL.
Saudi move for world-class Man City star Bernardo Silva would be a shame to see
We will see what happens but £150,000-a-week star Bernardo Silva going to Saudi would be a travesty to see as a football fan.
He is one of the best players in the world.
There is no way he should be going to the SPL at the age of 28, when he could play for any team in the world.
But these astronomical wages on offer are bound to be massively tempting.
If Saudi offer what City want to sell Bernardo, then it’s really all down to him.
Hopefully he doesn’t follow his compatriot Neves to Saudi. He’d be the first world-class player to move there and that would potentially set a precedent.
