Karim Benzema has joined an old friend in Saudi Arabia (Picture: Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Karim Benzema has become the latest star of the global game to join the Saudi Pro League in a stunning £172 million per season deal at Al-Ittihad.

The Frenchman's surprise move comes just months after former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo joined rivals Al-Nassr.

And now a whole host of other names have been linked with a move to the Kingdom, which has been sparked by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund purchasing a 75 per cent stake in the country's four biggest clubs: Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.

So, as the Saudi Arabian government attempts to turn the competition into a new football powerhouse, let's take stock of the stars currently plying their trade in the Middle East - and those that could soon join them.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract with Manchester United.

The two-and-a-half deal will reportedly see the Portuguese icon earn a mouth-watering £173 million a season in Riyadh.

Ronaldo has been settling into life in Saudi Arabia (Picture: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

However, despite hisimpressive goalscoring record of 14 goals in 16 games, it has not all been plane sailing for Ronaldo in the Middle East.

He has cut a frustrated figure at times in Saudi Arabia, culminating in him appearing to make an obscene gesture to fans who were chanting the name of career-rival Lionel Messi, whilst the club were also pipped to the league title by Al-Ittihad.

Karim Benzema

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner has moved to Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid after a glittering 14-year spell in the Spanish capital.

According to reports, Benzema will earn a whopping 12 times more than his previous salary at Madrid.

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The Frenchman is believed to have penned a two-year deal with Al-Ittihad with an option for a third year.

Al-Ittihad, managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, have not paid a transfer fee for the striker who voided the one-year extension clause in his Madrid contract.

What other players have been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia?

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, who is out of contract with the Blues this summer, is closing in on a move to Al-Ittihad after being offered £86 million a season.

A report in The Times states Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has been promised triple his current wages by an unnamed club, whilst recently departed Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has also reportedly been offered a lucrative deal from one of the 16 clubs.

Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan was tentatively linked with a move to the Kingdom, but the out-of-contract midfielder looks set to join Barcelona instead.

Kante looks set to join Al-Ittihad (Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Out of favour Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been approached by Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab, former Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has been offered a £9 million per season deal by Al Fateh and Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is said to be the subject of a £45 million contract offer by Al-Nassr.

Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos have also been approached by Saudi representatives, according to AFP.

Meanwhile, according to reports in France, Al-Hilal have made moves to sign Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Marco Verratti.

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