To those who suggested Saudi Arabia will become a retirement home for world-class footballers: think again.
Last Sunday, news broke that Al Hilal had made a sensational £47million move for Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman Ruben Neves. That deal was completed on Friday evening.
Admittedly, the Portuguese midfielder is not Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema - two global superstars plying their trade in the Saudi Pro League - but he represents something arguably more intimidating for the giants of the European game.
Neves is a 26-year-old, Premier League midfielder and seasoned international at the peak of his powers. Reports had linked the Wolves man with moves to Liverpool and Barcelona throughout the 2022/23 season before Al-Hilal found a breakthrough.
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And Portugal team-mate Bernardo Silva, 28, could follow, with Al-Hilal hoping to make the Manchester City star their next big signing.
It represents a major shift for footballers who previously expressed their ambitions to play at the peak of the European game.
Ahead of the final game of the season last month, Neves revealed his burning desire in football. Less than a month later, his priorities appear to have shifted.
“I want to be here but I never hide that I want to play Champions League football,” he said regarding his Wolves future. “It's a hard decision. My family love it here but, in football, you have to go for your main goals.
“Nothing has happened yet. If it was my last game here I would have really enjoyed it and I'm very thankful for the last six seasons.”
So what changed?
A contract to the tune of ten times his current wage has almost certainly altered the midfielder’s career ambitions. Linking up with international teammate Ronaldo in a pressure-free environment - and earning a bucket-load of cash while doing so - is the Saudi Pro League’s unique selling point.
Left-field countries have entered the footballing arena with mixed success. Russian clubs splashed the cash over a decade ago, luring the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos to the league in the twilight of their careers.
And when that project fell flat on its face, China emerged as a potential rising power. Rafa Benitez left Newcastle United to manage for £12million per year and former Chelsea star Oscar moved to the Far East during the prime of his career. However, the Covid-19 pandemic destroyed any inroads made in the preceding years to become a force in the game.
But Saudi Arabia are a totally different animal.
If their outlook on boxing, Formula One, or golf, where they have de facto bought and monopolised the entire professional circuit, is anything to go by, the Gulf state is here to stay. The controversial Public Investment Fund - who own an 80 percent stake in Newcastle United - are serious about turning the country into a beacon for sport.
Backed by £700billion worth of capital, their Vision 2030 pledge - the framework to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil - has resulted in sport being a key focus point. Accusations of sports washing have not slowed the Saudi project, which continues to throw billions at some of the planet's biggest sporting institutions.
As far as football is concerned, Saudi Arabia, freed from any Financial Fair Play governance, can spend and attract who they like.
While Neves joining Al-Hilal hardly sends a seismic shockwave through Liverpool’s transfer plans, the bigger picture is far more ominous. Saudi Arabian clubs could now fishing in the same pond as the Reds and boast far deeper pockets.
Some are using it to their advantage, including Chelsea, who are busy attempting to sell some of their out-of-favour stars to Saudi clubs in order to raise funds to comply with FFP.
But it won't be long before Saudi clubs come looking for established stars. It might be too early to sign Mohamed Salah - a player openly coveted in the Middle East - but others could be tempted.
Indeed, throw enough cash at a player and for some the lure of those riches will trump the prestige, honour and emotion of representing a club like Liverpool. Likewise Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or any of the traditional powerhouses.
Should the Saudi Pro League continue to deepen their roster with genuine, in-their-prime talents like Neves, who knows, the division might develop prestige of its own. The lavish spending remains in its infancy but, in the coming years, PIF, domestically with Newcastle and abroad in the Pro League, will likely become a pain in Liverpool’s side.
