Pep Guardiola, Manchester City coach, gave his opinion on the investments made by Saudi clubs during this transfer window.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the Saudis’ financial might has ‘changed the transfer market’ following Riyad Mahrez’s €35m move to Al-Ahli.
Guardiola fears a mass exodus to Saudi Arabia
The Algerian winger, who won four Premier League titles with City, received an astronomical offer from the Saudi outfit, and that’s what led him to leave England and start a new chapter.
Speaking during the club’s pre-season tour of South Korea, the former Barcelona boss touched on the subject of Mahrez’s replacement and also the new trend of top footballers joining the Saudi Pro League.
“We are not looking for a Riyadh replacement in terms of skill because every player is different,” Guardiola said. “Saudi Arabia has changed the market. A few months ago, when Cristiano [Ronaldo] was the only one to leave, no one thought so many top players would play in the Saudi league. In the future there will be more and that’s why clubs need to be aware of what’s going on. Riyadh received an incredible offer [d’Al-Ahli] and that’s why we couldn’t say “don’t”.
Following Ronaldo’s winter move to Al-Nassr earlier this year, the ongoing summer transfer window has seen footballing superstars such as Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Sadio Mane (Al -Nassr), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al-Hilal) and others to settle in the Middle East.
Not only do Saudi clubs pay higher-than-market transfer fees for some players (Neves was signed for €55m, Malcom was signed for €60m), but they also offer eye-popping salaries ( for example, Ronaldo earns £177m a year at Al-Nassr).
Who is the best recruit of the summer transfer window?
Jude BellinghamChristopher NkunkuDominik SboloszaiMason MountSandro TonaliAutres9766 Votes
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Who is the best recruit of the summer transfer window?
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2023-07-29 20:04:06
#Guardiolas #Saudi #Pro #League #rant #Goal.com #English
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