The major talking point of the summer transfer window so far has been the meteoric rise of the Saudi Pro League as one of the game’s hottest destinations looking to attract some of the biggest stars on the continent.
Bankrolled by the $620 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudis are taking the transfer market by storm at present with a host of global icons making the move across to the Middle East.
To date, a total of NINE top European stars have signed lucrative deals and it seems inevitable that more will follow suit, while as many as seven others are currently mulling over whether to accept the whopping wages on offer in an attempt to convince players to make the switch.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Romelu Lukaku, Luka Modric and Son Heung-Min have already turned down deals, but PSG superstar Neymar, Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, Manchester City midfelder Bernardo Silva and Crystal Palace wideman Wilfried Zaha have yet to make a decision on their future.
Clubs in Europe are struggling to keep hold of their prize assets as the Saudi Arabian government attempts to turn the league into a new footballing powerhouse.
9. Marcelo Brozovic - Inter Milan to Al Nassr (€18m)
30yo Croatian international will link up with Ronaldo after opting for Riyadh instead over interest from Barcelona. Another player to have penned a three-year contract with an expected salary of €25m per season (Image: Twitter/Al Nassr FC) | Twitter/Al Nassr FC
10. Kalidou Koulibaly - Chelsea to Al Hilal (£17m)
The Stamford Bridge club decided to cut their losses on the powerful centre-back, whom they paid €40million to bring from Napoli last summer. The 32-year-old has also agreed a three-year deal.(Image: Fabrizio Romano - Twitter) | Fabrizio Romano - Twitter