Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was right on track when asked abut the possibility of losing his players to Saudi Arabian clubs earlier this summer as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is currently hotly linked with a transfer to the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta\u2019s stance on the flurry of high-profile transfers to Saudi Arabian clubs has been proven right, amid reports surrounding Mohamed Salah\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has apparently been one of the targets linked with a possible move to the desert climes of Saudi Arabia, though the club would be unwilling to sell the defender. However, the transfer drama could continue for Premier League sides, well beyond their September 1 deadline.<\/p>\n
The Saudi Pro League has been the destination triggering an initial exodus of big-money signings made this summer, sparked by Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s incendiary move to Al Nassr way back in December after his contentious split with Manchester United.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund is the owner of four league clubs – Al-Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al Nassr – with Al-Ettifaq, currently managed by Steven Gerrard, also bringing in reputable players.<\/p>\n
The likes of Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, N\u2019Golo Kante and Karim Benzema are among the players to have made the move out to the Middle East. Given that the lucrative transfer fees are understandably not offerings easy to be snubbed, Arsenal boss Arteta was previously asked if he was harbored fears of losing players to the fast-growing Saudi Arabia league.<\/p>\n
“The window is still open so I prefer not to talk and say something! Because in this industry you never know,\u201d Arteta said.<\/p>\n
“But I understand, it’s another big competitor now and you see the amount of things that are happening there now and it’s something for sure to be prepared for.”<\/p>\n