Saudi Pro League’s transfer chief Michael Emenalo Wants All Top Players In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Pro League’s transfer chief Michael Emenalo has stated that he wants to bring ‘all the top players’ to the league next summer.

Michael Emenalo, who was formerly Chelsea’s technical director, has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure top players move from Europe to Saudi Arabia.

He now represents the Saudi Pro League in the transfer market as the league continues to raid Europe, a process that has brought in the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Riyad Mahrez.

Recall we reported that Premier League boss Richard Masters backed the League to ward off the Saudi threat to become the world’s leading division.

He also admitted that its growing presence was something that officials would have to keep an eye on.

Michael Emenalo, the SPL director of football, stated that the EPL had nothing to fear, he already has plans for the Saudi League to become a powerhouse within ‘a few short years’.

After the government takeover of four clubs, which has given room for the arrival of some of the continent’s top players, the deal for Kylian Mbappe fell through.

However, Michael Emenalo, who watched as Roberto Firmino bag a hat-trick in Friday night’s opening match, is not bothered.

Speaking about making the league one of the world’s top leagues, Emenalo said: “I would love to have Mbappe here.”

“I would love to have Harry Kane here. The league would like to have all the top players. In a couple of years, in a few short years, this will become a league for exceptional players only.”

“It will become a league only for those who at the top of their game.”

“And yes, we have resources and we’re going to use those resources to make sure the only players that are here are the ones that are at the top of their game.”

The Saudi transfer window will close on September 20, 19 days after that of Europe.

Jurgen Klopp recently urged FIFA to look into the transfer of players as clubs could lose players without being able to replace them.

We also reported that Barcelona President Joan Laporta also blasted players going to the league, saying they are after the money.

Michael Emenalo has, however, sworn to continue the spending regardless and will bring more top-flight players to the league.

“There’s always more business to be done,’ Emenalo went on to add.

“We’re always open for some surprises, you know, maybe something big happens.”

“But now the clubs are working frantically to improve their squads and they will continue to do that until the end of the transfer window.”

City boss Pep Guardiola also warned that Premier League clubs should be concerned with the massive transfer after he lost Riyad Mahrez to the middle east.

Michael Emenalo on the other hand has reiterated that he does not believe they should feel intimidated.

“The European leagues, especially the Premier League, are very strong, entrenched”, he stated.

“They have no reason to be scared. I do feel they consider our presence to be disruptive.”

“I think there is panic in some areas but this is from a misunderstanding of what we stand for, what we are trying to do.”

“I was told what Mr. Klopp said and what Mr. Guardiola said. One is a coach I absolutely admire and the other, Pep, is a good friend of mine,” he concluded.

Who Is Michael Emenalo?

Michael Emenalo is a Nigerian former professional footballer who was born on July 14, 1965, and played as a left-back.

He is the former director of football of Chelsea F.C. and AS Monaco FC and is now currently the Saudi Pro League director of football.

Emenalo left his post as technical director of Chelsea in November 2017 and at the end of that month joined Monaco as their sporting director.

Michael Emenalo also left Monaco by mutual consent on 12 August 2019 and then on 12 July 2023, Emenalo became the first director of football of the Saudi Pro League.