07 September 2023 , 07:29
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Premier League clubs have held talks as they seek to impose transfer regulations on Saudi Arabia, according to reports.
European clubs have bagged themselves a massive £753m profit this year as a result of a deals involving Saudi Pro League clubs, who have exercised their wealth to try and grow their division. The likes of Neymar, Fabinho, Riyad Mahrez and Ruben Neves have all headed to the kingdom as they have become major players in the market.
Several English clubs have benefited as a result by way of huge transfer fees received, but there are fears over the structure of those payments. Teams in Europe are ordered to abide by UEFA's “no overdue payments rule” which means clubs must meet their financial obligations.
It is a pillar of European football's balance sheet and ensures that clubs cannot be undermined financially by their rivals or they will not be licensed to play in UEFA or domestic competition. Saudi clubs are not governed by that rule though, and their dealings now account for 11 per cent of all fees paid to sides in Europe’s top divisions. Previously it had never been higher than two per cent.
Leading clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City now believe they could be exposed if clubs in Saudi do not adhere to the financial rules in place in Europe and have raised the issue in a conference in Berlin, according to the Telegraph.
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FIFA operates a transfer matching system (TMS) which governs the running of the transfer window but several clubs now want stern guarantees with Saudi Arabia emerging as a major spender in Europe. Four of the clubs in the Saudi Pro League are owned by the sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund, which controls the consortium that owns Newcastle, who are now back in the Champions League after two decades.
Riyad Mahrez left Man City for Al-Ahli (ALAHLI_FC/Twitter)
Fabinho left Liverpool to join up with Al-Ittihad (Twitter)Leading managers have acknowledged the influence the Saudi market is set to have with players opting to leave Europe during their peak years to take up lucrative offers. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is set to be the subject of a world-record bid and Jurgen Klopp admits the bottomless pot available to certain clubs is an issue.
"It's not written in stone that everyone has to watch the Premier League, or LaLiga or Bundesliga. It's absolutely fine if they try to grow the league. We don't have the right to say that's not allowed," he said earlier this summer. "China tried it, USA is trying, so it's absolutely fine... But the endless money causes a problem. It will be cool if somebody could find a solution, a little bit regulation."
Pep Guardiola also weighed in, saying: "Saudi Arabia has changed the market. 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."