Five Top Players Who Rejected Transfers To Saudi Arabia This Summer

Some of the world's most high-profile soccer stars have moved to Saudi Arabia. But many other players have rejected lucrative offers from Al-Hilal and Co.

Some of the world's most high-profile soccer stars have moved to Saudi Arabia this year.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Ruben Neves have all joined teams in the Saudi Pro League.

Those players all now belong to either Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al Nassr or Al-Ahli - four clubs that are owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The Saudi PIF's recruitment drive is not over yet, with Bernardo Silva, Neymar and Hakim Ziyech all said to be on a long wanted list this summer.

With huge financial packages being offered by the PIF via its clubs, it is no surprise to see many top players tempted to move to Saudi Arabia.

But not every player targeted has said yes.

Players Who Turned Down Transfers To Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi 

Argentina legend Lionel Messi famously rejected a record-shattering offer from Al-Hilal to instead join Inter Miami in the United States.

Explaining his decision, Messi told fans: "If it had been a matter of money, I'd have gone to Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me.

"The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money."

He added: "It's time to go to MLS to live football in a different way and enjoy my day to day life more.

"Obviously with the same responsibility and desire to win, and to do things well, but with more calm."

Argentina captain Lionel Messi chose Inter Miami over Al-Hilal this summer :: IMAGO/Xinhua/Cao Can

Luka Modric

Croatia captain Luka Modric also said no to a lucrative proposal from Al-Hilal this summer.

Modric instead opted to commit to one more year at Real Madrid.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano said that Modric turned down Al-Hilal's offer "with the utmost respect".

Luka Modric signed a new contract with Real Madrid despite receiving a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal :: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Apo Caballero

Son Heung-min

Al-Ittihad were said to be interested in signing South Korea skipper Son Heung-min from Tottenham.

But Son told reporters in his home country: "I am not ready to go to that league and I like the Premier League. I have more things to accomplish in the Premier League.

"Money is not the most important thing to me right now. What is more important is the pride of playing in the league I love.

"I still have more things to do in the Premier League. I guess the [Spurs] fans will love me for saying this."

Son Heung-min said he wants to remain in the EPL instead of moving to the Saudi Pro League :: IMAGO/Paul Marriott

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku's loan spell at Inter Milan expires this summer and he still has three years left on his contract with Chelsea.

Lukaku is keen to leave Stamford Bridge permanently but the 30-year-old rejected an approach from Al-Hilal.

He instead hopes to stay with Inter, after scoring 14 goals in 37 games for the Italian club last season.

Romelu Lukaku is keen to stay at Inter Milan rather than joining Al-Hilal :: IMAGO/Gonzales Photo/Tommaso Fimiano

Sergio Busquets

Iconic Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets was a one-club man for his entire career until he was released by Barcelona this summer.

The 34-year-old was widely tipped to join Al-Hilal but he eventually decided to snub the Saudi side and follow Messi to Miami.

Sergio Busquets (left) will play alongside former Barcelona teammate Messi in Miami after both players turned down offers from Al-Hilal :: IMAGO/Avanti