The Premier League needs to reach an agreement with FIFA to bring the Saudi Pro League transfer window in line with their own if they are to stem the disruption of English football by the ambitious Middle East country.
The Saudi rulers are using football to spread the message of their country and have already signed a host of big name stars from Cristiano Ronaldo to Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson.
More soccer stars are sure to follow and one factor hindering the Premier League is that the Saudi summer window remains open until 7 September – six days after the end of the English market.
And the Athletic’s transfer guru David Ornstein, speaking in an exclusive interview with HaytersTV, outlined what impact it could have on the game.
He said: “At the moment it means when the Premier League window shuts the Saudi Pro League can go into overdrive to tempt players away and cause great disruption to squads.
“And that word disruption is key – they are the great disruptors of world football.”
Ornstein also warned that anyone thinking this year’s remarkable transfer activity is a temporary state should think again.
He reiterated all of the well documented concerns over human rights in the Saudi region and agreed they should continue to be scrutinised, but we asked him to address the football matters for the purposes of this interview.
He added: “In terms of football alone it is a fascinating story. They see themselves as here to stay in a way that China wasn’t.
“They are trying to rival the MLS. They have a better time zone and money and ambition beyond any comprehension.
“Saudi is not going away. They have grand ambitions, huge finance behind them and a vision for 2030 from the top of the nation down. That includes diversifying revenue by investing ion others areas such as golf, boxing, tennis, entertainment and now football.”
The hugely-respected journalist also cautioned those quick to scoff at the standards in the Saudi Pro League. He said people should be aware that the clubs have been in existence for many years and have established fan bases. One only had to see the tens of thousands who travelled to Qatar to see their country beat Argentina in the World Cup last year to understand that.
He explained: “There has been a bit of snobbery around Saudi football that is is pretty inaccurate.
“They have a history and now it is being jet propelled.
“For example, look at the appointment of Michael Emenalo in as Sporting Director of the Saudi Pro League. He will build out a technical team of educators and coaches, stats, training grounds, pitches.
“I interviewed David Beckham about this in Miami recently and he talked it about healthy competition and a good thing for football.They are here to stay and we had better get used to it.”
