Thread by @CBSSportsGolazo

The Saudi Pro League is making moves this summer. But what’s really happening? 👀

Dealmakers want around 20 elite names and over 50 signings in total.🇸🇦

The big transfers, like Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr, are initiated are funded from the very top.🇵🇹

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, are driving many of the moves. They also own Newcastle.

They control four of the biggest club in Saudi: Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.💰

The aim is to create rivalries in Riyadh and Jeddah with global appeal. And next season, English-speaking TV rights will also be sold.📺

Clubs can still make their own signings, but PIF drive the important ones and often pick the club.

N’Golo Kante’s move to Al-Ittihad is a good example of this. Al-Nassr really wanted him, but were kept in the dark and he recently joined Karim Benzema in Jeddah instead.🟡⚫️

Al-Ittihad took priority because as Saudi Pro League champions they will play in the 2023 Club World Cup, which is hosted in Saudi.🏆

Saudi dealmakers tried for Lionel Messi, and he was close to joining Al-Hilal at one point before recently picking Inter Miami instead.🐐🇺🇸

Not every target is gettable right now. Luka Modric is expected to stay at Real Madrid.🇭🇷

İlkay Gündoğan is still deciding his future.🇩🇪

And Son Heung-min won’t be available until at least 2024, but is nonetheless on the list of targets.🇰🇷

The Saudis have their own agents on the case focused on all the big leagues. This is in some ways atypical and can mean player agents are aware of potential deals a bit later.😲

This also allows PIF and senior dealmakers to approach clubs in one swoop for multiple players hence why so many Chelsea stars are being targeted in one go, even though they are all off to different clubs.🔵

Arguably the most intriguing signing so far is Ruben Neves, who will join Al-Hilal from Wolves for $60m.

Neves is 26 and said he wanted to leave Wolves for #UCL football. His profile is what Saudi are looking for in the long run, even though many current targets are over 30.👶

Obviously money is a huge factor here. Players can earn between 2-10 times their current salary if wages, bonuses, commercial deals and other income opportunities are considered.🤑

There is also a real chance in the future Saudi will buy younger players then loan them out.

And between now and 2030, the Saudi Pro League could explore changing their dates slightly to allow less of a clash with the end of the European season.🤔

All these moves are also part of a drive to grow the league ahead of a bid for the 2030 World Cup.🏆🇸🇦

Who do you think will be the next big name to join the Saudi Pro League? 🍿