Saudi Arabian Pro League Clubs Have Spent IDR 6.73 Trillion, But Hunting Will Not Stop

The Saudi Arabian Pro League club signed European star players. (Photo: Twitter/@ittihad_en)

JAKARTA - The breakthrough was made by the Saudi Arabian Pro League club in the transfer market this summer. A number of top players from Europe were successfully brought to the Middle East.

Has it stopped? The answer is no. Saudi Arabian Pro League clubs will certainly still bring in top players in the future.

This was revealed by league executive Peter Badminton.

According to a Daily Mail report, Saudi Arabian clubs have spent more than 350 million (approximately IDR 6.73 trillion) in the transfer market this summer. The goal is to make the Saudi Arabian Pro League one of the most popular in the world.

Players from Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich were successfully tempted to play in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile Al-Hilal made an offer of 259 million to bring Kylian Mbappe from PSG last month.

"I think the budget is already there for a few more years, I don't see us (the Saudi Arabian league) slowing down," Peter Badminton said, as quoted by Antara.

"I've worked in the field of sports for 40 years and I've never seen a project as big as, seambisius and trying to be successful like this."

"Investment from Saudi Arabia is extraordinary. It's really a big acceleration," he continued.

He thinks that Europe is still a huge attraction to the world of football, but it would be great that football has the power around the world.

The Saudi Arabian league has been eyeing football lovers since Al-Nassr recruited global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after he left Manchester United earlier this year.

Badminton said the transfer caused 170 different countries to strike an agreement to broadcast Saudi Arabia's Pro League matches around the world.

Since then, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has taken over four leading clubs and invested funds to bring in the world's best talents.

Benzema joined Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid, while former Liverpool captain Henderson completed a transfer to Al-Ettifaq, who was coached by Steven Gerrard this summer.

N'Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Ruben Neves, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane are the other top names who have moved from European competition to the Pro League in recent weeks.