Gary Neville Asks Premier League To Block Transfers To Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Pro League has started attracting some of the world's best players with attractive offers on the table.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s blockbuster move to Al-Nassr at the start of the year looks to have triggered a series of transfers of some of Europe’s best talent to the Gulf State in recent weeks.

The likes of Karim Benzema and N’golo Kante have all sealed moves to champions Al-Ittihad while the next few days will see deals completed by various Saudi Arabian clubs for Chelsea trio Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koilibaly.

Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Ruben Neves is all but certain to join Al Hilal whiles Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey could leave the Emirates Stadium for Saudi Arabian suitors.

"The Premier League should put an instant embargo on transfers to Saudi Arabia to ensure the integrity of the game isn't being damaged," Neville told BBC Sport.

"Checks should be made on the appropriateness of the transactions.

"If it comes through that process, obviously transfers could open up again. But I do believe, at this moment in time, transfers should be halted until you look into the ownership structure at Chelsea and whether there are beneficial transfer dealings that are improper."