According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s Pro League is targeting Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba as their latest high-profile signing.
Karim Benzema recently left Real Madrid to join Al Ittihad on a three-year deal, and N’Golo Kante is rumored to be close to following suit. Cristiano Ronaldo made a notable move to the Middle East at the start of 2023, and it is expected that more prominent players will join him.
The Saudi Arabian officials are eager to attract elite talent from Europe, with Pogba being firmly on their radar. The 30-year-old has faced a tumultuous campaign, marred by injuries and controversies, since his return to Juventus from Manchester United last summer. He started just one Serie A game last season and faced disciplinary issues that led to his omission from Juventus’ squad for a Europa League knockout tie against Freiburg.
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Despite his struggles, Pogba has expressed his desire to stay in Turin and prove his worth. However, Juventus themselves have experienced a turbulent season, including off-field controversies and a ten-point deduction for financial irregularities.
With the club potentially looking at a rebuild this summer and participating in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Pogba’s departure, considering his high wages, could be an enticing option for Juventus.
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The opportunity to sell Pogba to Saudi Arabia may prove tempting for Juventus, and such a move would be another significant coup for the Pro League.
So far, the big-name signings secured by Saudi Arabian clubs have been on free transfers. However, with financial support from the nation’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns Newcastle United, the Pro League’s top four clubs (Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Hilal) will have no issue paying substantial fees for future targets.
Karim Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabia is reported to be worth over £250,000 per day without tax, and Kante is expected to receive a similar salary when he finalizes his transfer. If Pogba ends up making the move to the Middle East, he can expect to land a lucrative payday as well.
