CGTN Sports Talk: Should UEFA worry about Saudi poaching?

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CGTN Sports Talk: Should UEFA worry about Saudi poaching?

CGTN Sports Talk EP256 Saudi money in European football.mp3

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Portuguese star midfielder Bernardo Silva of Manchester City is close to joining the Saudi Pro League, according to Marca.

Multiple notable players have joined the Saudi league in the past six months, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante. The Middle Eastern clubs with deep pockets even targeted Lionel Messi and Luka Modric, who turned the juicy offers down in the end.

UEFA President Alexander Ceferin said last week that he is not worried about the massive poaching moves by the Saudi league because no top player in their prime has joined a Saudi club.

Silva, who has been playing as a key midfield attacker for multiple years, may be the first exception. The question is, will there be more following his path?

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City poses with the UEFA Champions League trophy after their 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the tournament's final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, June 10, 2023. /CFP

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring a goal in the Saudi Pro League game against Al-Shabab at the al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 23, 2023. /CFP