Mikel Arteta has called for the Saudi Pro League transfer deadline to be brought in line with Europe's window dates, saying it needs to be done because the league is now a competitor.
The deadline for the majority of European leagues is September 1, but clubs in Saudi Arabia are able to purchase players for an additional 19 days. That means approaches may be made for players in the Premier League and elsewhere without the prospect of being to able replace them.
The Saudi Pro League has poached a number of high-profile players this summer, with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Ruben Neves some of the headline names to depart from England.
Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane have also joined Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr respectively, reflecting the pulling power and spending capabilities of the Saudi Pro League.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has also been linked with a move to the Middle East this summer, though 90min understands that the Gunners now have no intention of letting the Ghanaian so late in the window.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's clash with Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta offered his thoughts on Saudi teams being able to continue buying players and whether or not that's a fair situation.
"No, because it is a competitor now. No, I think we have to change that," Arteta said, before adding when asked if the dates should be brought in line: "That is my opinion, yes.
"It is another competitor and it brings other opportunities for players, for managers and for people that work in the industry to decide," the Spaniard continued about players moving to Saudi Arabia.
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"In the end, we are free to decide when clubs, players or whoever has to agree to something, you have to have the intention to go and find agreements, that is why there are contracts. If people agree to go it is because someone agrees to go there but that someone agreed to sell him, so it goes two or three different ways.
One major disadvantage for Premier League clubs would be the inability to replace players they sell after the September 1 deadline. Arteta admitted that letting some disposable talent go after the date is not an ideal scenario, but stopped short of ruling it out completely.
"Well, the principle would be that but I cannot make the decision for the club," he said. "It is a lot of people involved in that process and they would have for sure a say, the ownership, would do the same. It would be on the table like with any offer and you have to look at it. The only thing I’m saying is it’s not ideal because they are a competitor.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Mikel Arteta: Saudi Pro League transfer window closing date not fair.
