Storied European greats such as FC Barcelona and others have for decades been the hotspot for any player around the globe looking to have the spotlight of the world on them and an offer that simply no other club or continent could match. Yet in recent years, many have tried to challenge this hierarchy.
Recent competitors have included the likes of the American-based Major League Soccer (MLS) and even the Chinese Super League (CSL). These competitors have tried to become attractive leagues for the top players but have failed to unnerve the attraction held by Barcelona and other top European sides.
Yet, in recent months, a new challenger has begun to develop in their quest to usurp the European throne. Hailing from the Middle East, this new challenger in the form of the Saudi Pro League has made its way into the European market for top players.
The likes of players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’golo Kante are just a few of Europe’s greats that have made their way to Saudi Arabia courtesy of the unparalleled financial muscle of the country and the unmatchable offers they have presented to these players and continue to target even more.
The most recent of these targets hail from FC Barcelona itself, and as Mundo Deportivo has recently revealed, that target is none other than Brazilian winger Raphinha, whose first season at the club has attracted Saudi interest.
Despite this reported interest, there is the belief that Raphinha is still convinced about continuing at the Blaugrana club, as he has answered on several occasions before that his priority remains to stay at FC Barcelona and fulfill his contract with the hope of signing with them for even longer in the future.
However, the financial muscle of the Saudi Arabian sides has not yet managed to falter and it remains to be seen whether it is strong enough to sway Raphinha away from his dream to continue playing at FC Barcelona.
This interest is not the first that the Middle East has had in a Barcelona player. For some time now, there have been contacts between Al-Ahli and Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie. Reportedly, an offer for the 26-year-old midfielder has also been received and continues to be assessed, and it remains to be seen whether or not the midfielder ends up moving to Saudi Arabia himself.
