Rain of money for FC Bayern? Saudi clubs set their sights on FCB stars | OneFootball

Saudi Arabia’s influence on the international transfer market remains a major issue – and apparently FC Bayern players are still in the spotlight

As reported by Sky, Saudi Pro League director Michael Emenalo recently visited Säbener Straße. The former Chelsea official has maintained a close relationship with Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl for years

The explosive fact is that two Bayern stars, Alphonso Davies and Minjae Kim, are reportedly still at the top of the Saudi Pro League’s wish list, according to tz

The interest in both players is by no means new. Minjae Kim in particular was already being courted intensively by several Saudi clubs last summer. In addition to Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadisiyah are also said to have shown interest in the central defender at the time

Alphonso Davies has also been regarded as a highly attractive player in Saudi Arabia for years and the Canadian combines precisely those qualities that are particularly in demand in the Saudi Pro League: international profile, speed, market value and global appeal

Bayern are actually planning to sign both players

photo: IMAGO

However, there are currently no concrete plans for a departure. Vincent Kompany is said to continue to rely on Davies and Kim internally. Davies in particular is still considered an important part of Bayern’s future despite his recurring injuries. Kim also continues to be highly valued internally despite the ongoing speculation

Nevertheless, Emenalo’s visit shows that Saudi Arabia is still keeping a very close eye on the European market

Interestingly, there have recently been reports that Saudi Arabia wants to reduce its multi-billion investments in sport. However, according to a high-ranking Saudi source who spoke to tz, soccer remains a central component of „Vision 2030“. „The clubs will continue to be supported as before – only now there is a clear process for this,“ they say

New system to make league more sustainable

The focus is on the new „PACE“ funding model – the „Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence“. The Saudi Pro League wants to manage transfers in a much more structured and sustainable way in future. Instead of spending billions indiscriminately, economic performance, spectator numbers and sporting success are to be given greater consideration in future

The league is thus pursuing the goal of becoming less dependent on permanent state funding in the long term while remaining internationally competitive

This is precisely why top players from FC Bayern remain extremely interesting for Saudi Arabia, and Davies and Kim would immediately strengthen the league’s international profile

What’s more, both players have enormous marketing potential: while Davies is one of the best-known full-backs in the world, Kim enjoys enormous popularity, particularly in the Asian market

Bayern should only consider mega offers

Nevertheless, there currently seems to be little indication that Munich would voluntarily let one of their stars go, especially after their Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain, as Bayern are looking to strengthen rather than weaken their squad

Nevertheless, one thing is clear: should Saudi Arabia actually get serious about a Bayern star, sums could be called for that would cause discussions even at Säbener Straße.