Saudi League plot to sign 50 STARS from Europe's top leagues: Reports

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia in December, joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Reports have recently emerged that Lionel Messi could join him in the Middle East next season, with plenty of teams showing interest in him as his Paris Saint-Germain contract is coming to an end after the current campaign.

Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr has added glitter and value to the SPL, which has since struck lucrative broadcasting deals in Portugal, Italy, Greece, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland within a month of his arrival.

ESPN have now revealed that Ronaldo was just the first of up to 50 players that Saudi Arabia plans to target from Europe's big five leagues this summer. SPL clubs, backed by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Sport, hope to target out-of-contract players across leagues.

With clubs across Europe experiencing financial difficulties, the Saudi clubs want to make the most of the opportunity and recruit "high-quality" players. Besides Messi, players like Roberto Firmino, Ilkay Gundogan, Adama Traore, Yerry Mina and Abdoulaye Doucoure have also been named as possible targets for SPL clubs at the end of the 2022-23 season.

A football agent has also revealed to ESPN that he has held talks with clubs in Saudi Arabia about them signing international players from Spain, Morocco, and Colombia. He also stated that clubs were keen on high-profile coaches too.