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

Jamie Carragher has sounded alarm bells about the number of professional footballers in their peak years being linked with moves to the Saudi Arabian side, claiming that ‘this sport wash needs to be stopped’.

It came after Bernardo Silva was reportedly offered a ‘lucrative opportunity to join a Saudi Pro League club’, with Carragher also calling the potential move a ‘game changer’.

According to MarkaTThe 28-year-old midfielder is ‘on the verge of a move to the Middle East’ and is one of many top talents, including Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendywho 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, signing up to sign some 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 purchases, and Sky pundit Carragher stressed his concerns about the country’s increasing strides in golf, football and boxing.

Bernardo Silva (left) is reportedly on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabia – in a move that has left Jamie Carragher (right) concerned

The ex-Liverpool defender took to Twitter to voice his concerns over the recent reports

“Bernardo Silva is in his prime and has been one of the best players in Europe for the past five years!” Carragher wrote further Twitter.

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

‘Saudi has taken over golf, the big boxing fights and now they want to take over football!! This sports washing must be stopped!’

Carragher’s comments come after his colleague, Gary Neville, demanded the Premier League urgently investigate the big money deals and offers from Saudi Arabian parties.

He wrote on his Insatagram: ‘Get in as soon as possible a regulator agile enough to stop these things at the source! If it doesn’t look good, it probably isn’t good! Independence is required as soon as possible. The Governance of our game is a mess.’

Ruben Neves, 26, is also close to a deal to move to the Kingdom, with Saudi Pro League sides now drawing the attention of much younger players in the league

Carragher claimed that Silva’s possible move to the Middle East could be a game changer

Ruben Neves is the latest player on the verge of a move to the Middle East state, despite long-standing rumors that the Portuguese midfielder could join Barcelona.

Mail Sport understands that Romelu Lukaku, another player still in his prime, has been strongly 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 squad.

Carragher’s comments also come on the heels of golf’s announcement two weeks ago that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour would merge with LIV Golf, in a new commercial alliance that would see the Saudi Arabian Pacific Investment Fund provide funding for the joint venture.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first big name to move to Saudi Arabia last year, sparking a string of other big signings for the country’s top division

N’Golo Kante officially joined Al-Ittihad from Chelsea earlier this week on a three-year deal – while Karim Benzema re-signed for the club

Meanwhile, questions have also been raised about the country’s involvement in professional boxing, with Frank Warren claiming in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport that the Kingdom had hosted several global heavyweight mega fights.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia can sign players until September 20, and that could have a major impact on the top flight throughout the summer and into the autumn, with the lure of high paychecks a tempting offer for many stars across the league. .

And after Cristiano Ronaldo agreed a major move to Al-Nassr at the end of 2022, it seems several younger players are starting to turn their heads.

Neves is arguably the most important of those names at 26 years old, and if he moves to the Middle East he will turn down the chance to play quality football with Wolves or even Barcelona.

Alvaro Morata is another player linked with a move to Al-Hilal, alongside Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly, while Callum Hudson-Odoi has also been approached by several Saudi clubs.