There seems to be no football superstar that Saudi Arabia doesn’t envision playing for its teams. Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the first big names to make a move to the country, with others such as his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema following suit.
Undeniably, the lure of significant financial rewards has attracted these players to Saudi Arabian clubs, and an increasing number of renowned names are being associated with this trend.
The Sun reports that Saudi Arabia is now looking to secure the services of as many as six Chelsea players.
Todd Boehly, the owner of Chelsea, is reportedly prepared to part ways with a select group of players in an attempt to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Players potentially leaving Chelsea for Saudi Arabian clubs include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kalidou Koulibaly, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy, and N’Golo Kante.
Notably, journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Kante’s imminent move to Al Ittihad and Mendy’s transfer to Al Ahli.
Chelsea’s Strategy to Comply with FFP
The club’s strategy centers around adhering to the constraints of financial fair play, or more precisely, finding a way to respect the guidelines.
A question commonly asked these days is how Chelsea can generate such considerable revenue without breaching FFP regulations.
“What Chelsea has decided to do is spread the cost of players by signing them to very lengthy contracts,” financial expert Kieran Maguire explained to Sky Sports.
The new financial fair play rule caps team costs (which encompass transfer fees, wages, bonuses, and agent commissions) at a maximum of 70% by the 2025/26 season.
However, by distributing these costs across multiple seasons, the club can enjoy greater flexibility and room for maneuver.
Saudi Arabia’s Interest Extends to Man. City
According to The Athletic, Bernardo Silva of Manchester City was also seriously contemplating a move to the Saudi league. He reportedly has a staggering offer on the table, but his desire to continue playing for a top team in Europe is competing with this enticing financial proposition. His agent, Mendes, is said to be already negotiating various alternatives.
