Saudi Arabian funds have transformed the transfer market over the past few years – but not every player offered lucrative contracts has chosen to relocate to the kingdom.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League at the end of 2022, numerous high-profile European-based footballers, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Neymar, and Moussa Diaby, have successfully joined Saudi Arabian clubs.
We have identified seven well-known footballers who have turned down offers to play in Saudi Arabia and have opted to join other clubs instead.
Marcus Rashford
Made available for transfer in the January 2025 window by Manchester United, Rashford apparently declined three approaches from Saudi Pro League clubs as he aims to revitalize his career.
The 27-year-old aims to keep open the door to a potential England recall and is optimistic about piquing the interest of top Premier League and European clubs.
Ousmane Dembele
Al-Nassr had previously acquired the likes of Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic in 2023 before setting their sights on Dembele.
Then, at Barcelona, the winger only had one year remaining on his contract at Camp Nou, and a move to Saudi Arabia appeared conceivable at one point.
Apparently, as per Foot Mercato, the winger rejected a five-year contract worth £35m per season from Al-Nassr. In perspective, that’s about £673,000 per week he turned down to remain in Spain.
Dembele is intermittently displaying exceptional brilliance for Paris Saint-Germain.
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy turned down a move to Saudi Arabia without hesitation after several clubs, like Khaleej FC, expressed interest in signing the Leicester City striker following Leicester’s relegation in 2023.
The veteran striker reportedly deemed a move to the Gulf country unacceptable and instead led Leicester straight back up to the top-flight division at their first attempt.
Lionel Messi
Ultimately, Messi chose Inter Miami, although there was a strong possibility that he would become the highest-paid athlete in history by moving to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal made Cristiano Ronaldo a lucrative offer reportedly valued at a staggering one billion pounds, which would have stunned him regardless.
The most outstanding player of his generation chose to relocate to the United States in order to have a more enjoyable ‘day to day life’, one that was superior to what he experienced in Paris.
Luka Modric
Al-Hilal, who signed Ronaldo and Benzema within a few months of each other, aimed to reinforce their position as one of the leading clubs in Saudi Arabia by targeting another Real Madrid legend.
They offered Modric £171 million to play in the Saudi Professional League for three seasons, but the evergreen Croatia international decided to stay in Madrid because his family had settled there.
Sergio Busquets
Busquets announced his departure from Barcelona in May 2023, following a remarkable career with the Spanish heavyweights. Along with his achievements with the Spanish national team, the midfielder has collected every available accolade in the modern era.
It was commonly reported that one of Saudi Arabia’s four clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund was highly interested in bringing Busquets to the country.
Like his former Barcelona teammate Messi, he selected a move to Inter Miami – where they were soon joined by Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku, who spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Inter Milan, was offered an astonishing $28 million-a-year deal from Al-Hilal. Reports also indicated that the striker had already met with club officials to discuss a potential transfer.
The Belgium international seemed unconvinced, inspite of his reluctance to return to Chelsea, and consequently opted for a loan transfer to Roma instead.
Olivier Giroud
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But France’s record goalscorer, who spent six years at Arsenal and another three at Chelsea in the Premier League, rejected them as he wanted to keep playing in Europe.
Giroud left the old continent a year later and moved to LAFC in the United States.
