Kieran Maguire: Man City can exploit Saudi Arabia after star quits in £159m deal
Man City can use Saudi Arabia’s investment in football to their advantage by selling fringe players for large fees.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who explained exclusively to Football Insider that Saudi clubs can match the wages of Premier League stars as there are no financial regulations in their domestic league.
City sold winger Riyad Mahrez to Saudi outfit Al Ahli last month in a deal worth an estimated £30million while he also agreed a three-year contract worth an astonishing £43m per year.
Bernardo Silva has also been linked with a move to the Middle East, and Pep Guardiola commented on how the transfer market has “changed” this summer due to Saudi investment.
“Saudi Arabia has changed the market,” he said. “In the future there will be more and that’s why clubs need to be aware of what is happening. Riyad got an incredible offer and that’s why we could not say don’t do it.”
Maguire believes Saudi investment doesn’t threaten the Premier League, but can actually benefit it in the long-term.
“I see Saudi Arabia being of potential benefit to the Premier League in the sense that there’s the opportunity to sell players who aren’t necessarily first choice,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“Therefore clubs can make money on the back of that as those players are likely to already be on significantly high wages.
“Finding alternative clubs in a position that can match the wages paid by the likes of Manchester City is usually quite difficult.
“Ultimately, Saudi Arabia has the capacity both financially and from a financial fair play perspective because there are no such rules operating in that particular market.
“As far as the Saudi Pro League is concerned they can outbid any club for any player should they choose to.
“Then it comes down to the player’s choice and the selling club’s choice, and many players will want the lifestyle that Saudi Arabia can offer.
“Many players might take the view that it’s not for them, and I think there are more considerations than money, although clearly money talks.
“So it’s not a threat to the Premier League’s dominance because the Premier League made its smartest decisions 30 years ago when it went into the global markets and effectively offered its rights and built up a legacy fan base.“
In other news, Major update on Man City star quitting within weeks – sources