Mikel Arteta and Klopp in full agreement over looming Saudi Arabia transfer issue
Arsenal have seen interest in at least one player from the Saudi Pro League, while several Liverpool stars have moved to the Gulf state in the summer transfer window
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shares Jurgen Klopp’s concerns about the Saudi transfer window shutting later than those in the big European leagues.
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have brought in a number of players from Europe this summer. Liverpool have been among the clubs most affected, with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino all making the switch.
While Premier League clubs have until September 1 to complete new signings, their Saudi counterparts have longer to do their summer business. This has prompted Liverpool boss Klopp to call for action to be taken, and Arteta appears to share his counterpart’s stance.
Arteta was asked, ahead of his team’s Saturday meeting with Fulham, whether it’s fair that Saudi clubs have until September 7 to complete their business. The date has been moved from September 20, but still provides close to a week after the Premier League deadline (and those for some other top leagues).
“No because they’re a competitor now,” Arteta said. “I think we have to change that.”
It had earlier been suggested that there was no expectation the deadline would be changed this season. However, a number of Premier League clubs are understood to be concerned at the impact the later Saudi deadline could make.
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Arteta’s comments come amid Saudi interest in Arsenal centre-back Gabriel. The Brazil international was named as a substitute for each of the London side’s first two league games, but Arteta has made it clear he considers the former Lille man part of his plans.
“Gabi is a really important player for us and there is nothing going on with that at the moment,” Arteta said. He had previously said the defender’s omission from the starting line-up against Crystal Palace had nothing to do with the speculation around his future.
Any player who opts to move to Saudi Arabia in the next fortnight would join a long list of players to make the switch. Aside from the Liverpool trio, the Premier League has also lost the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Edouard Mendy and Ruben Neves during a busy summer.
Other leagues have also seen big names opt for Saudi Pro League moves. Those moving to pastures new include Karim Benzema, Neymar, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Moussa Dembele, and there could yet be more to follow.
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