European football has been significantly affected by the rise of Saudi Arabian money. Many elite football players have moved to Saudi Arabia during the past 18 months, drawn by the promise of larger salaries.
Even in their prime, European stars are worryingly gravitating toward the Middle East, even though the bulk of the players who passed away were well into their 30s.
Barcelona is among the few teams that have avoided losing players to Saudi Arabia up to this point. But the Catalans may be in danger of losing a number of key players as the upcoming summer draws near.
Raphinha: A summertime aim for Saudi clubs
Raphinha is one of the players who could end up relocating to Saudi Arabia, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Last summer, Saudi clubs expressed a strong desire to acquire the Barcelona forward, and it is quite probable that they will revisit the player in the market.
According to the source, Raphinha will be needed by Barcelona for the upcoming season. However, they would accept the attacker’s request to withdraw in light of Lamine Yamal’s explosion.
Barça is aware that Raphinha once declined a Saudi Arabian offer of €20 million annually. It remains to be seen if he will turn down these offers this summer.
Ter Stegen & Lewandowski are also being watched
Saudi Arabia is also pursuing two more Barcelona players, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Robert Lewandowski, this summer.
Ter Stegen has been in the news lately as a result of Saudi Arabia’s “lucrative” offer. Whether the German will want to make the jump is still up in the air.
Nevertheless, he is one of the most crucial members of the Barcelona team and has a deal that runs until 2028. The new coach might have a big impact.
Lewandowski, on the other hand, is already nearing the end of his career, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he moved to Saudi Arabia.
The athlete, according to the article, is content in Barcelona and neither he nor his spouse are really eager to leave the city.
Barça, on the other hand, would prefer that Lewandowski stay on staff to coach young Vitor Roque for at least another year. In the end, everything will depend on the player’s decision.
