Mane the latest to join influx of talent to Saudi Arabia

More and more big-name players from the world of football are heading for the Saudi Pro League.

There has been a powerful recruitment drive by the PIF-owned clubs in Saudi Arabia as the league looks to establish itself among the best in the world, with Sadio Mane’s departure from Bayern Munich to Al-Nassr the latest move to go through.

Here, Football Mad looks at some of the key players already in the Middle East preparing for the new season.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr

Ronaldo joining Al-Nassr kick-started the league’s aggressive transfer policy (Amr Nabil/AP)

After his acrimonious departure from Manchester United, five-time Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo headed to Saudi Arabia as a statement signing that told the footballing world the league meant business.

Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad

Reigning Ballon D’Or winner Benzema followed his former Real Madrid team-mate, leaving the Spanish capital after his contract expired having won five Champions League titles during his stay.

N’Golo Kante – Al-Ittihad

Like his fellow France international Benzema, Kante headed for the Gulf on a free transfer as he opted to leave Chelsea at the end of his deal, albeit with considerable concerns over his fitness.

Ruben Neves – Al-Hilal

Ruben Neves was Wolves captain before making his move to Saudi Arabia (Barrington Coombs/PA)

Portugal international Neves had helped Wolves out of the Sky Bet Championship before enjoying five Premier League campaigns at Molineux, establishing himself as one of the highest-regarded midfielders in the division and earning him a reported £47million move.

Kalidou Koulibaly – Al-Hilal

Having spent just a single season at Stamford Bridge, Senegal centre-back Koulibaly departed Chelsea for a fee in the region of £20m and with a team-mate and compatriot not far behind.

Edouard Mendy – Al-Ahli

Mendy lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea having arrived at the club in 2020. He made just 10 Premier League appearances last season before opting for a move to Saudi Arabia.

Jota – Al-Ittihad

Jota completed the domestic treble in Scotland ahead of his move (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Having hit 15 goals to help Celtic win a domestic treble, former Portugal youth international Jota clearly caught the eye of the money-men in Saudi Arabia and made the £25m move at the start of July.

Roberto Firmino – Al-Ahli

The highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history, Firmino enjoyed a long and emotional goodbye to the Liverpool supporters, among whom he was a firm favourite after eight years at Anfield.

Jordan Henderson – Al-Ettifaq

Firmino’s captain at Liverpool was the next man to quit Merseyside for Saudi, joining the non-PIF funded side managed by another ex-Reds skipper in Steven Gerrard. Henderson’s long-standing and vocal LGBTQ allyship made it a controversial move.

Riyad Mahrez – Al-Ahli

Riyad Mahrez left Manchester City after a trophy-laden five years (Martin Rickett/PA)

Having ended his five-year stay with Manchester City by winning the Treble, Mahrez – who was slipping down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium – opted to take his winners medals with him as he linked up with the likes of Mendy and Firmino at the reigning champions.

Allan Saint-Maximin – Al-Ahli

France international Saint-Maximin was another Premier League forward to join Al-Ahli, his move from Newcastle coming under scrutiny as he left one club majority owned by the PIF for another.

Fabinho – Al-Ittihad

The next Liverpool player to swap Merseyside for the Middle East, the Brazil midfielder moving to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al-Ittihad for a reported £40million as Fabinho drew to a close a five-year stay in the Premier League.

Sadio Mane – Al-Nassr

After a disappointing season in Germany that included an injury that ruled him out of the World Cup and a fine and suspension from Bayern for a training ground bust-up, Senegal forward Mane opted to leave the Bundesliga champions to link up with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.