Peter Crouch is the latest high-profile pundit to criticise players joining the state-backed Saudi Pro League.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s ministry of sport announced the Public Investment Fund - the entity which also owns an 80 percent stake in Newcastle United - would take control of four clubs: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr. The shake-up has changed the course of this summer’s transfer window drastically, with several top players heading to the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo took the plunge in January following his explosive Manchester United exit and he has since been joined by former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema. N’Golo Kante will join Al Ittihad on July 1, with his Chelsea team-mates Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly expected to follow suit.