Cristiano Ronaldo has paved the way for high-profile stars to be tempted into swapping Europe for the Saudi Pro League.
In what was the first major coup from a Saudi Arabia club, more players are now ready to experience a new challenge in a different continent.
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Seen as a minor league at the start of the year before Ronaldo linked up with Al Nassr, the standard of football is set to dramatically improve this summer.
With teams able to offer whopping salaries, some of football’s greatest names have bought into the project they are being sold.
Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema was unveiled by champions Al Ittihad on a free transfer earlier this month.
The striker will be earning a staggering £200million-per-year in the Gulf nation, which equates to £6-a-second.
Lionel Messi was eyed up by Al Hilal, but he ultimately snubbed a switch to join MLS outfit Inter Miami.
But the club have immediately identified Neymar as their ideal alternative, and are prepared to pay Paris Saint-Germain £38million for his services.
And Al Hilal are also closing in on a £47m transfer for Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who could be joined by five Chelsea players in Saudi Arabia.
Here, talkSPORT.com takes has mocked up an incredible starting XI in a 4-3-3 formation of those linked with a Saudi switch this summer.
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Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy looks set to link up with Al Ahli, with the Senegal international not in manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
Slotting in at right-back is Rangers skipper James Tavernier, with journalist Dean Jones told the 31-year-old could be set for a bumper contract.
Appearing on the opposite side of the defence is versatile left-back Ivan Perisic, who could leave Tottenham after just one season.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs appeared on the Last World On Spurs podcast, where he stated that Al Hilal have the Croatian on their radar.
Featuring at centre-back is Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly – another player who Al Hilal are looking to secure the services of.
Partnering him is Sergio Ramos, who is available on a free transfer after Paris Saint-Germain decided against offering him a new deal.
The 2010 World Cup winner fuelled speculation he could make the move to the Middle East earlier this month after liking a transfer post on Instagram about a possible transfer to Al Ahli.
Another Chelsea man that is closing in on a switch is midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is understood to be set to join Benzema at Al Ittihad on a free transfer.
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Featuring alongside Kante is Neves, who despite pining for a move to Barcelona, is poised to join Al Hilal.
Meanwhile, Manchester City treble winner Bernardo Silva is also attracting interest from Saudi sides, with The Athletic stating he has been presented with a lucrative offer.
Though with PSG and Barcelona also keen on the 28-year-old, it remains to be seen where Silva’s future lies.
Two Chelsea players then feature in attack, with Hakim Ziyech included on the right wing.
After being denied a link-up with Messi at Parc des Princes in January, the Morocco star looks set to call Ronaldo a teammate as Al Nassr try and sign the ex-Ajax man.
His Blues teammate Romelu Lukaku, who spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Inter Milan, is also being chased by Saudi clubs.
talkSPORT understands the west Londoners are desperate to get the Belgian – Chelsea’s highest-paid player – off their wage bill.
Completing the star-studded XI is Brazilian winger Neymar, with Les Parisiens known to be open to offloading the 31-year-old.
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