Initially, the Saudi Professional League developed rapidly, backed by ample financial resources and the active acquisition of name value players over the age of 30. It focuses on various sports, not only football, and has not neglected to focus on establishing a business after the oil has gone.
It has recently branched out into acquiring players in the prime of their careers. Former Brentford forward Ivan Toney, former Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn and former Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán have all gone to Saudi Arabia.
If limited to Liverpool, the Middle Eastern club is committed to acquiring Egyptian international Mohamed Salah, while an offer was received for Uruguayan international Darwin Nunez this winter. They are not stopping, with Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker also in talks.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Saudi Professional League side Al Hilal are interested in a new Liverpool player and have prepared a huge €120 million offer for Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
Under the Arne Slot regime, he has awakened as an attacking midfielder. He has the stamina to run the entire length of the pitch until the end of the game, but also brings rhythm to the attack by connecting the ball without getting flustered when surrounded. And recently his numbers have started to show, with goals and assists.
The Hungarian captain, who also has a powerful mid-range shot, is one of the Dutch coach’s most important footballers and would not be released even if a double offer arrived. He is also a player of the future, aged 24, and there is no possibility that he would even listen.
It is only a rumour and it is doubtful that the Saudis are actually surrounding the player. A player like Darwin Nunez, who has been benched more often, would have a chance, but an attack on an imposing starter is not a very wise decision.
The Saudi League has no intention of slowing down on reinforcements in the future, but who will be the next target…?