The Saudi Pro League has been described as making its “biggest deal since Cristiano Ronaldo” after launching a transfer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele.
The move comes at a time when PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has warned about the impact of football’s financial controls, with the French champions facing tighter limits on spending and wages.
Dembele only joined PSG last summer but has continued to attract attention, with Saudi clubs now pushing to test the Ligue 1 side’s resolve. The interest is being framed in Saudi Arabia as the most significant attempt to land a global name since Ronaldo’s headline switch to Al Nassr.
Al-Khelaifi has previously spoken out about salary restrictions and the way they can shape transfer plans, and that backdrop is said to be influencing the latest approach for Dembele as the Saudi Pro League looks to add another major star to its growing list.
The league’s officials have made clear their project is built around bringing elite talent to the Middle East, and the pursuit of Dembele underlines the scale of ambition as clubs continue to target players at the top end of European football.
