The Saudi Pro League also known as RSL has emerged as a magnet for top European soccer talents. The league’s appeal has been so strong that even Barcelona President Joan Laporta voiced his concerns about players choosing the league over traditional European clubs.

Laporta emphasized that players should prioritize sporting reasons above all else when making such decisions. However, a talented midfielder at Barcelona has seemingly defied these remarks by opting for a move to Saudi Arabia.

Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie’s Move to Saudi Pro League

Franck Kessie, the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international, is on the verge of a €16 million transfer to Saudi Arabian side, Al Ahli. The deal would see him join the ranks of fellow soccer stars Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, and Allan Saint-Maximin, who have all moved to the Middle Eastern clubs this summer.

Kessie’s journey from AC Milan to Barcelona on a free transfer last summer was initially promising. However, things took a different turn, and Barcelona actively sought to sell the player during the current transfer window. Discussions about the 26-year-old midfielder’s move to Saudi faced obstacles in the past, but after Barcelona’s pre-season tour concluded, talks resumed and now appear set to conclude successfully.

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The Ivory Coast international’s move to Saudi highlights a broader trend of notable players joining the league. This trend began with Cristiano Ronaldo‘s headline-grabbing transfer to RSL last year.

The growing attraction of the Saudi Pro League after Ronaldo’s signing

Al Nassr’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo was undoubtedly a watershed moment for the league. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner brought unparalleled star power to Saudi Arabia and significantly elevated the Saudi League’s international profile. After Ronaldo‘s move, the league saw the likes of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane and Alex Telles from Manchester United, among others, make the leap to the league.

The exodus of top talents to the Saudi League has raised concerns among European clubs about retaining their players. This trend might force European clubs to reconsider their player retention and financial management approach.

With significant financial backing and investment in infrastructure, the league is set to continue its upward trajectory. The influx of top talents to the Saudi Pro League raises intriguing questions about the future of soccer beyond Europe.

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