Jamie Carragher warns a big-money move to Saudi Arabia for Bernardo Silva would be a ‘game changer’

Jamie Carragher has sounded alarm bells over the number of professional footballers in their peak years who are being linked with moves to Saudi Arabian sides, claiming ‘this sports washing needs to be stopped.’

It came after Bernardo Silva has reportedly been given a ‘lucrative opportunity to join a Saudi Pro League club’. 

The 30-year-old midfielder is said to be on the cusp of a move to the Middle East, according to Marca, and is likely to be one of many top talents in their prime, including Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy, who could leave the Premier League for Saudi Arabia this summer. 

Saudi Pro League sides have made their presence known in the transfer market of late, swooping in to secure several slightly older players including Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

Clubs across Europe have called for ‘fair market investigations’ into Saudi Arabia’s big-money signings, and Sky pundit, Carragher, has also warned that more top players could move to the Kingdom, claiming signing Silva could be ‘game changing’.

‘Bernardo Silva is in his peak years & has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years!’ Carragher wrote on Twitter. 

‘I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30’s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Ruben Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer.

‘Saudi have taken over Golf, the big Boxing fights & now they want to take over football!! This sports washing needs to be stopped!’

Ruben Neves is the latest player to be linked with a move to 

Mail Sport understands that Romelu Lukaku, another player who is still in his prime, has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi club Al-Hilal, with the 30-year-old striker having previously held talks with representatives of the Pro League side. 

More to follow…