Saudi Arabia clubs heavy spending is headache for EPL

Premier League clubs are reportedly convinced that the spending splurge of Saudi Arabia is set to continue for the next decade.

The Saudi Pro League has spent extensively over the course of the last 12 months as they attempt to transform the nation into one of the top-performing leagues in world football and show no signs of slowing down.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the first high-profile name to arrive in the Middle East as he touched down in Saudi Arabia after having his Manchester United contract torn up before other superstar names followed more recently.

England's top-flight sides believe the Kingdom is able to bankroll further mega-money transfers over the next 10 years as they attempt to sustain their approach to revolutionising professional football in the country, according to the Telegraph.

Comparisons have previously been drawn to the failure of the Chinese Super League that previously adopted a similar style before being forced to reign in their spending and eventually proving unsustainable in their approach.

But, Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF) along with the nation's top sides Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad are wanting to maintain consistency in bringing big names to the country for the foreseeable future.

Their actions have apparently placed Premier League sides on alert amid fears that the riches on offer could impact their ability to bring in players or agree new contracts with existing stars.

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson left the club to seal a £12m move to Al-Ettifaq where he will become the best-paid English player in world football.

The England international put pen-to-paper on a £700,000-per-week deal at the Saudi side managed by Steven Gerrard with Jurgen Klopp admitting he wanted to keep hold of his skipper.

'Was I surprised when Henderson said he wanted to move on? Of course. We had a relationship for eight years,' said Klopp.

'He knew the situation that we wanted to keep him but if he wanted to leave we weren't going to throw rocks and stones in the way. It was about reacting to it.

‘Jordan will miss us and we will miss him. We have to go on and we will. That is clear.’

His departure from English football was followed by Riyad Mahrez who left Treble-winning Manchester City to seal a £30million switch to Al-Ahli and bringing an end to a hugely successful five-year stay at the Etihad.

City boss Pep Guardiola later warned against the strength of Saudi Arabia's ability to lure top talents to the nation, adding: '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. Saudi is not about being a threat, it is a reality. They want to create a strong league and so far they are the league who can do it.

'The Premier League spent more than the others because the organisation is better and the broadcast rights are higher.'

Other recent additions to Saudi's cv of international stars includes former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema, ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Ruben Neves - previously of Wolves.