Sadio Mane the latest to join influx of talent to Saudi Pro League

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, the PA news agency looks at some of the key players already in the Middle East preparing for the new season.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr

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

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

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

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.