Saudi league pays highest in the world as Guardiola says it’s a threat to Europe.
The Saudi Pro League now boasts the biggest salaries in world football - with the temptation to sign up for a life in the Middle East more tempting than ever.
Jordan Henderson is the latest big name to swap the Premier League for a new adventure with Al-Ettifaq.
While Riyad Mahrez has just completed a £ 30 million move from Manchester City to Al-Ahli.
They will join Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and more in what's becoming the fastest-growing league in world football.
Although it appears Kylian Mbappe won't be joining the European exodus, after reportedly snubbing a staggering £605m-per-year offer.
But, where do they rank in the top earners? SunSport has rounded up the highest-paid footballers in the Saudi league to date and how much they earn per week.
- Seko Fofana, £250k
At just 28, Fofana is in his prime. He was linked with a move to Arsenal, but he will be plying his trade alongside Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
His club Lens had qualified for the Champions League, but it wasn't enough to convince him to stay in France.
- Ruben Neves, £288k
Brutally honest Neves was a £47m signing by Al-Hilal - leaving Wolves after six years.
His eye-watering salary will set him and his family up for life, as he explained.
Neves said: "The main factor was my family and the chance to give them the life I have always dreamt of for them – that was the biggest reason for me to not have any doubts.
"I have three kids and a lovely wife, and I need to take care of them, that is the biggest trophy in my career."
- Roberto Firmino, £326k
Back in June, fan favourite 'Bobby' Firmino decided to leave the Reds when his contract expired.
He fielded several offers, but a deal at Al-Ahli was too good to turn down.
The 31-year-old won the Premier League title and Champions League with Liverpool.
- Marcelo Brozovic, £403k
Like Firmino, Champions League finalist Brozovic had plenty of options, including Juventus.
But the former Inter Milan midfielder, 30, snubbed a Serie A stay for an opportunity at Al-Nassr.
He will link up with Ronaldo and Fofana as the Saudi club aims
to improve on a second-placed finish.
- Kalidou Koulibaly, £576k
Koulibaly's Chelsea nightmare came to an end last month when he signed for Al-Hilal in a £20m deal.
The 32-year-old failed to live up to the hype at Stamford Bridge, so will welcome a change.
£30m-per-year won't hurt.
- Jordan Henderson, £692k
England international Henderson has penned a three-year deal with Al-Ettifaq.
He will link up with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who will manage the club.
His £692,000-per-week salary makes him the highest-paid British player in the world.
- Riyad Mahrez, £750k
At 32, the former Leicester man's final contract would have to be one that sets him up for life.
He said his goodbyes to Man City - signing for Al-Ahli.
Mahrez will be playing alongside former Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, who also made the move to Saudi - but doesn't make the top 10.
- N'golo Kante, £1.6m
Like Mahrez, this is one final payday for Kante - not that he was ever money-motivated.
After all, this is a man who drove a second-hand Mini Cooper for years during his time in the Premier League.
He will join Karim Benzema and Jota at Al-Ittihad, where he will be paid an astonishing figure considering his recent injury-plagued seasons.
- Karim Benzema, £3.3m
The current Ballon d'Or holder was always going to command a massive fee.
And it was obvious a staggering amount would be needed to prise Benzema away from Real Madrid.
He won five Champions League titles at Los Blancos, but a new challenge was too much to resist.
Surely he will add a few more Bugatti to his car collection with that money.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, £3.4m
The pioneer and poster boy for the Saudi Pro League.
Who knew when CR7 would move to Al Nassr from Man Utd in January, after kicking up an almighty fuss and falling out with Erik ten Hag, that the world's biggest names would follow him?
Ronaldo's deal is worth a staggering £3.4m-per-week, which he penned until June 2025.
He is the highest-paid athlete in the world by a country mile. Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted that the Saudi Pro League has completely transformed the transfer market as we knew it. “Saudi Arabia has changed the market. A few months ago, when Cristiano Ronaldo was the only one who had gone there, no one thought that so many top players would play in the Saudi league. In the future, there will be more and more and that is why clubs have to be aware of what is happening. Mahrez got an incredible offer, so we couldn’t say, ‘Don’t do it.”
