The Saudi Pro League is aiming to create ‘an absolute top product’ to attract players to play in the division in their primes, reportedly including a major Liverpool star.
That’s according to Michael Emenalo, the division’s chief football executive, who wants the league to kick on from its original attraction of stars to secure the services of the world’s best.
Two Premier League stars have been linked with moves to the league this summer, with the division looking to eventually implement benefits rather than only financial gain.
While Mail Sport reported that the league is interested in signing Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson this summer, The Telegraph suggest that Liverpool’s Alisson could also make the move.
The Brazilian still has three years to run on his deal, but the Saudi Pro League, four of whose clubs are state-owned, could test the waters with a bid this summer.
The Saudi Pro League is considering a move to sign a top Liverpool star this summer, according to a report
The division has attracted a number of major players in recent years but are keen to move for players in their primes
Mail Sport revealed that the league are also looking to make a bid for Manchester City’s Ederson in the summer
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‘Whenever an opportunity comes up and one of those kinds of players that you mentioned are available we will compete for them,’ Emenalo said in an interview with the publication.
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‘This particular coming window, if there’s an opportunity to spend significantly on someone that we think will bring exactly what we needed or what is needed, then we will do that.’
Alisson has made 263 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club for nearly £70million in 2018, helping them to Premier League and Champions League success.
At 31, he was a staple piece of Jurgen Klopp’s time in charge of the Reds, with many of the players facing uncertain futures under Arne Slot following the German’s departure.
Liverpool could be tempted to cash in while the opportunity it there, though will be reluctant to sell too many stars, with Mohamed Salah’s future also to be decided.
According to Emenalo, the goal is to privatise all 18 Saudi Arabia clubs, while developing their own players and selling them to other leagues rather than attracting players at the back-end of their careers.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Ngolo Kante have joined the league in recent years, but the ultimate aim is said to be attracting stars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Michael Emenalo, the division’s chief football executive, wants to make the league one of the best in the world
He also opened up on why the league missed out on signing Lionel Messi when he left PSG last summer
Emenalo also opened up on missing out on the signing of Lionel Messi when he left PSG for Inter Miami a year ago.
‘I don’t know what the reasons were, because I wasn’t here then,’ he said. ‘But I am sure, [when] you see all of the things that are happening in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you will understand that if they absolutely want to do something it would be possible to do it.
‘The only thing I can say is that I can assure you that we’re looking at different ideas, creative ways, to make sure that the league continues to progress.’
‘When you accept these type of projects with the associated ambition the goal is to be the best you can possibly be,’ he said. ‘Right now our goal is to be one of the top leagues in the world.
‘Being No 1 is something that would be left to people in the future, whether that happens in 10 years, in 20 years, in 25 years, that would be welcome. But I think the place to start is to say we want to be the top league in the world.’
