Saudi Pro League director says clubs aren’t ‘throwing money’ around, rejects Champions League claims and talks Mohamed Salah chase
The Saudi Pro League’s director of football, Michael Emenalo, has defended the division's summer of extraordinary spending.
Emenalo, who previously worked at Chelsea and Monaco, joined talkSPORT shortly after the close of the SPL’s transfer window where a whopping £800million was spent.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s winter arrival in the Middle East, Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema made the move and has been joined by a whole host of huge names, including Brazilian superstar Neymar.
Some deals, including the £47m Al Hilal paid Wolves for Ruben Neves, led many to suggest Saudi teams were just ‘throwing money’ around, which talkSPORT host Simon Jordan put to Emenalo.
“I reject the notion that this is a throw money at it process,” the former Nigeria international responded.
“This is a well thought out and well planned process that has been in the offing for a very, very long time.
«Our intention has always been to adhere to the mandates of world football.”
He continued: “There are countries in the world who will look at the Premier League and say it’s overpaying.
“It’s always been the case, when people made journeys to Serie A way back it was also because of economic incentive, and with those incentives comes the realisation that the levels and the ambitions and qualities will also improve.”
Emenlao was then questioned on rumours the SPL is keen to join the Champions League, with some reports claiming that talks have already taken place.
“No, I don’t know where that’s coming from,” he replied. “I think that’s somebody just taking a dreaming leap into a farfetched future, our goal is to take quality baby steps.
“The first step is to stabilise our league, make it very entertaining for our fans and in so doing endear fans around the
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