When it comes to major transfers, Harry Kane’s €100 million move from Tottenham to Bayern Munich steals the spotlight, overshadowing even Neymar’s expected €90 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. While the fees involved are certainly significant, it is the underlying ambition that sets Kane’s move apart. The 30-year-old English captain is determined to add major trophies to his collection after a career at Tottenham devoid of silverware. On the other hand, Bayern Munich seeks to solidify its position as Germany’s dominant force and reclaim the Champions League title.
Many high-profile 30+ players, including Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mané, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo, have opted for lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia, bolstering the growing Saudi Pro League (SPL) while securing substantial salaries. However, Kane has chosen a different path, one driven by his burning desire for victory. Unlike these players who have already achieved immense success on the European stage, Kane seeks to conquer new heights and leave no room for regrets.
While Neymar and Kane are only a year apart in age, the interest from Bayern Munich in the Brazilian superstar Neymar was virtually nonexistent. This lack of interest can be attributed to Neymar’s history of injuries and dwindling focus. Although Neymar was a highly talented player, his peak came early, while Kane remains at the pinnacle of his career and may even have untapped potential.
Neymar’s move to Al Hilal, touted as a game-changing transfer in terms of headline-grabbing figures and attention on the SPL, is nevertheless one that European clubs were reluctant to make. Despite his impressive trophy cabinet from his stint at Barcelona before joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017, major European clubs were hesitant to invest in Neymar due to his questionable fitness record and hefty salary demands.
The reluctance of major European clubs to pursue Neymar or other similar high-profile players indicates that the SPL still has a long way to go before it poses a threat to the powerhouses of European football. The influx of money into the league may solve short-term problems for European clubs, allowing them to offload high-earning players and secure significant transfer fees. However, it does not diminish Europe’s allure. In fact, according to Transfermarkt, the SPL now holds a higher value than the Scottish Premiership, yet it still falls short of challenging the top European leagues.
The ongoing transfer frenzy benefits multiple parties involved. Saudi Arabia benefits from the influx of talent, players find new opportunities, clubs can offload high-earning players, and agents earn substantial commissions. PSG, for instance, stands to receive a reported €90 million transfer fee for Neymar, far surpassing what a European club would have been willing to pay for a player with his injury history. Similarly, clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool have capitalized on the SPL’s emergence by obtaining significant amounts for their aging stars.
Liverpool, plagued by the declining performances of Fabinho and Henderson, managed to secure over €60 million for both players in a single summer. Although the loss of these midfielders was not ideal, it proves to be sound business for Liverpool. Clubs like Al Hilal, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea were willing to invest heavily in these experienced players, a scenario that may not have materialized before the SPL gained prominence.
The SPL’s desire to sign up to 50 players from Europe’s major leagues this summer demonstrates its ambition to become the go-to league outside of Europe’s big five. However, the league’s reach still has its limits. Missing out on signings like Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, who opted instead for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, reveals that Saudi money and ambition can be challenged. While the SPL has undoubtedly become a major player in the transfer market this summer, it still lags behind Europe in terms of allure to top-tier talent.
The SPL’s true game-changing moment will arrive when one of its clubs successfully signs a player in their prime, beating out top European teams for their signature. However, such a signing has yet to materialize, and there are no immediate signs of it happening any time soon. While Neymar’s status as one of football’s biggest names cannot be denied, his star has already peaked and may be at risk of fading away.
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