A number of high-profile players have lately signed for the top teams in the Saudi pro League, making it a sought-after destination for footballers.
And one of the more well-known players to join them is Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, who joined Al-Ahli for £30 million after receiving an incredible offer from the Saudi Arabian team.
And Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, thinks that Saudi Arabia has altered the football transfer market as a result of Mahrez and other talents leaving.
Spaniard admitted that he wanted the Algerian winger to remain at city, but the Saudi Arabia has changed the market.
“A few months ago, when Cristiano Ronaldo was the only one to go, no one thought this many top, top players would play in the Saudi League, in future there will be more, and that’s why clubs need to be aware of what is happening. Riyad got an incredible offer, and that’s why we could not say,” Don’t do it,” he told the media on Saturday in South Korea.
Pep doubts sustainability of Saudi league.
The Saudis want to build a good League, and Guardiola believes they can, but he is unsure if it will be sustainable.
“They want to create a strong League, and so far, they are the League who can do it, right now, the Saudi League, I don’t know how long they will sustain it, but the feeling is that they will stay. The players want to take this experience to play in that league and they are able to do it,” he explained.
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Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January, players like current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Edouard Mendy, and N’golo Kante have also joined the League.
