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When the Chinese Super League embarked on a spending spree that shook European football back in 2011, it was soon apparent to everyone that there was a fundamental flaw in their strategy. They were not trying to position the league as a top league in world football that could attract the best players in the years to come. 

Rather,a large chunk of the players they targeted were stars who were on their last legs. Not even the shocking signing of a 26-year old Oscar in 2017 could help them shake off the ‘retirement league’ allegations. As the bubble eventually started to burst and debts began to pile, moves were made to limit spending on foreign stars. 

From showing audacious ambition to attract global stars to clubs struggling to pay wages, things fell apart. 

**Why Saudi Arabia’s Strategy is Different**

This is why nobody was really moved at first when Saudi Arabia embarked on their own spending spree to once again shake European football. Nobody was really taking notice or bothered until they landed Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, that coup came with the ‘retirement league’ allegations that had trailed their Chinese counterparts. After all, Ronaldo was 37 years old. 

That is precisely why people failed to see that the Saudi strategy was significantly different from the Chinese one and would be a lot more sustainable. To begin with, it was backed and funded by the Saudi government, with a 75% stake in four specific founding clubs who were splashing the cash. 

Furthermore, it was part of a longer term plan for Saudi Arabia that transcended football – the Saudi Vision 2030. They are also expected to host the 2034 World Cup, which ties into that long term plan. In summary, it is completely different. 

When Al-Ittihad signed Karim Benzema, eyebrows were raised. At the time, he was the holder of the Ballon d’Or, the award for the best player in the world. That was a statement. Even if Benzema was already 34-years old, he still held the title of the best player in the world and did not look like a player in decline. Not long after, Al-Hilal signed 31-year old Neymar, who was still widely recognised as one of the best players in the world with many more years to play at the top.

But it was the signing of highly sought after Ruben Neves, who was 26, that really made people stop in their tracks. It was now clear that they were attracting all kinds of players; the has-beens, some of the best players in the world, players still in their primes, and more. Not even someone dishing out expert betting tips would book a bet on these transfers happening. And yet, they did. 


**Saudi-based players still at elite level**

If there was any doubt about the quality in the league, the Euros and AFCON certainly dispelled it. At the Euros, N'Golo Kanté and Aymeric Laporte were the most obvious examples that players who moved there still have a lot to give, with some electric performances. Kanté was named Man-of-the-Match in his first two games, serving a strong reminder about his quality. 

All tournament, people raved about him, with some expressing surprise at how he was clearly still at an elite level.  Laporte led the triumphant Spanish team from the back, showing that he is still one of the best defenders in the world.

Others who grabbed headlines were Nicolae Stanciu and Merih Demiral while the likes of Sergej Milinković-Savić and Koen Casteels put in fine performances.

Over twenty players from the Saudi Pro League were at AFCON in January, widely regarded as the best one in history. The most impressive were the Ivorian duo of Seko Fofana and Franck Kessié who inspired their country’s resurgence after a disastrous group phase. 

Both would prove crucial as Côte d'Ivoire marched to the trophy. There were also fine performances from Yassine Bounou, Ahmed Hegazy and Sadio Mané.


**More Signings to Come**

The Saudi Pro League has proven to be really competitive and humbling, as we have seen top players struggle there, and the world’s attention has been drawn to it far more than the Chinese Super League a decade ago. The progression is clear. 

The strategy, however good, is unlikely to take attention away from the European leagues or place this league on par with them, but there is evidence to suggest that it will become Asia’s premier league, drawing viewership that is unprecedented. It is also clear that they will achieve the sustainability the Chinese couldn’t with their league.

That means we can expect more signings to happen and many more superstar players and coaches to head that way in the coming years. For once, people have really started to take notice. There were even audacious bids last summer that failed to materialise, including massive ones for Kylian Mbappé, Victor Osimhen and most recently, the rumoured offer for Vini Jr. 

This summer, we already heard Kevin De Bruyne suggest that he could consider moving. The likes of Mousa Diaby and Predrag Rajković moved there already, with their prime years still to come. 

**The stars that could move within the next year**

If you were to make a football prediction concerning transfers that could happen next summer, Manchester City would probably be the club to start from. It looks increasingly likely that we could see an exodus next summer, starting with Pep Guardiola, based on heavy speculation regarding their future and the current case hanging over their heads. Also, it makes sense. 

Kevin De Bruyne is entering his tenth season at the club, which qualifies him for a statue by the end of the season. It has also looked like Manchester City are already planning for life after him. With his comments this summer about the Saudi league, he is an easy pick as far as free betting tips go for a 2025 transfer. Another Man City to Saudi transfer that could happen is Ederson. All summer, speculation was rife about him heading there, with Stefan Ortega taking over.

Ultimately, the club moved to keep him, perhaps to make sure the transition from him to Ortega is more seamless. This season, which would be his 8th at the club, could be his final one. Every bet guru should be watching this one to see how things unfold, in order to stake on it early enough.  

Even though there are no concrete links to Saudi, there is still speculation linking Bernardo Silva with an exit. He could well be tempted by a move there when the time comes.

Manchester City are gunning for an unprecedented 5 Premier League titles in a row, and it would be fitting if all three could do it one final time before heading to Saudi Arabia next summer. 


● Bet on Manchester City to win the Premier League 

On the other side of Manchester, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes were heavily linked with moves to Saudi Arabia all summer. Even though both eventually stayed and no move materialised, at least one is likely to happen next summer. 

That could be Casemiro, as Manchester United seem to already be planning for life after him. Their relentless pursuit of Manuel Ugarte is the evidence that he is the one chosen to take over as Casemiro gets phased out. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he heads there next summer. 

Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, has signed a new contract until 2027 so he is unlikely to leave any time soon. Manchester United have looked rejuvenated in pre-season and dominated their Community Shield game against Manchester City, with Bruno as the protagonist. Perhaps, there is a chance that they can sustain it and get back into the top 4. That is certainly their priority.

● Bet on Manchester United to make the top 4 

Onto Merseyside, two others have attracted teams from Saudi – Alisson and Mohamed Salah. It looks like it is only a matter of time before it happens. Liverpool’s pursuit of Giorgi Mamardashvili includes a plan for him to be their starting goalkeeper within the next two years. That already suggests that they expect Alisson to leave by 2026 at the latest.

His contract expires in 2027 and most likely wouldn’t be renewed, so it makes sense if he leaves before his contract ends, when Liverpool can still extract some value from a transfer. The Saudi clubs will be back next summer to try to tempt him and test Liverpool’s resolve. A lot could depend on how Mamardishvili, who is expected to be sent on loan right after signing, does during his loan spell. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool rejected an audacious £150m bid from Al-Ittihad for Mohamed Salah last summer. There was no such bid this summer but it is a transfer that many expect to happen. Salah is hugely popular in the Arab world and is being lined up to be one of the key faces of the Saudi vision.

A move next summer makes a lot of sense for all parties, and it could be a clever pick for anybody looking to make smart money. Before that happens though, Salah has the chance to leave a final mark on the Premier League by winning the golden boot. The odds look tasty.

● Bet on Mohamed Salah to win the Golden Boot 

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De Bruyne? Salah? With the SPL now one of the most desired destinations for players, our experts have examined transfers to the SPL after this season.

News

The Superstars who could be swapping European football for the SPL - De Bruyne, Salah, etc

● Bet on Manchester City to win the Premier League

● Bet on Manchester United to make the top 4

● Bet on Mohamed Salah to win the Golden Boot