BBC SPORT
The Saudi Pro League’s financial clout has “changed the market” for transfers and elite clubs “need to be aware of what is happening”, says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
After luring Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia in December, the league has attracted several big-name players this summer.
That group includes Algeria’s Riyad Mahez, who left City to join Al-Ahli.
“Saudi Arabia has changed the market,” said Guardiola.
“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 the 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’.”
City agreed to sell Mahrez in a deal worth up to £30m while Allan Saint-Maximin is set to become the next player to leave the Premier League for Saudi Arabia when he joins Mahrez at Al-Ahli.
Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane is in talks over a potential move, having received an offer from Al-Nassr, while reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has already followed former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this week, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said he “wouldn’t be too concerned at the moment” about Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in football.
“It is not about the threat, it is a reality,” Guardiola added during City’s pre-season tour of Asia.
“They want to create a strong league and so far they are the league who can do it.
“The Premier League spent more than the others because the organisation of the Premier League is better and the broadcasts and the sponsors are higher than the other leagues, so the clubs can spend what they have.
“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.”
Guardiola added that City “are not looking for a replacement for Riyad in terms of skill because every player is different”.
“We will see what happens with loan players, and which players stay here. A few things are going to happen.”
Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has also left City this summer, on a free transfer to Barcelona, and so far last season’s Treble winners have only brought in Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
Ake signs contract extension
Netherlands defender Nathan Ake has signed a two-year contract extension at City until 2027.
The 28-year-old joined City in 2020 on a five-year deal from Bournemouth for £40m and he played a vital role for City last season, making 41 appearances in all competitions as City won the Treble.
“This is the best club in the world, I have no doubts about that. Being a Manchester City player makes me incredibly proud every single day,” said Ake.
“It’s a club that expects excellence in every area, which makes for the perfect environment to improve. I am at the stage of my career where I want to keep developing and I can definitely do that here.
“Pep is the best manager in football – a genius who has made me see the game differently – so to be able to work with him for longer is a real privilege.
“I am so grateful to him for everything he has done for me, both personally and professionally.”
Ake joined Chelsea as a 15-year-old and after 17 first-team appearances made a permanent move to Bournemouth in 2017, having been on loan there during the 2016-17 season.
He had talks with Chelsea about re-joining them a year ago but the Blues failed to meet City’s valuation.
