MENA Sports Wrap: Vinícius Jr eyes $1 billion offer to join Saudi Pro League

Saudi Arabia's ambitious sporting pursuits are making headlines once again, with Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr reportedly considering a staggering $1 billion offer to join the Saudi Pro League, a deal that would make him the face of the 2034 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is set to debut in Riyadh with a £500,000 grand prize, matching some of the sport’s biggest competitions.

On the football front, Morocco's World Cup star Noussair Mazraoui signed for Manchester United, while Brentford’s Ivan Toney is mulling a lucrative offer from Al-Ahli. West Ham defender Kurt Zouma’s potential move to Shabab Al-Ahli, meanwhile, collapsed after he failed a medical test.

Vinícius Jr considers eye-watering $1 billion Saudi Pro League offer

Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr is being wooed to Saudi Arabia with a pay offer of over $1 billion pay offer, according to multiple media reports.

Initial reports claimed that the 24-year-old Brazilian forward turned down an eye-watering sum to move to the Saudi Pro League saying he wanted to remain in Madrid to compete in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

Reuters later reported that he is still considering the offer, which would be a huge boost for Saudi football as ir prepares to host the 2034 World Cup.

The deal would see him awarded a 10-year contract and become the face of the World Cup, where if he is still competing, he would be aged 34 - still five years younger than Cristiano Ronaldo who played in this year's Euros.

It is not clear which team he would play for, but one of the four big Saudi Pro League clubs who are owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) - Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal or Al-Ahli - are the most likely candidates.

Vinícius Jr. is yet to win the Ballon d'Or, perhaps the most prestigious award for individual players, and a move to Saudi Arabia would likely dampen those chances.

The player is at the peak of his career, scoring 24 goals and making 11 assists for Real Madrid last season, with the quality at the SPL several notches down from the levels of La Liga. 

A consolation is that he would still be able to play with some of the greats of the game, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema, even if it's in the twlight of their careers.

Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters debuts in Riyadh with staggering £500k top prize

The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is set to debut in Riyadh later this month, offering a top prize equal to that of the World Snooker Championship.

The 144-player event cues off on 30 August, with a champion set to be crowned on 7 September, taking home an astonishing £500,000 prize.

The runner-up will take home £200,000, while the semi-finalists will each receive £100,000, matching the prize amounts awarded at the Crucible.

The total prize fund stands at £2,302,000, slightly lower than the £2,395,000 awarded at the most recent World Championship, with less money available in the earlier rounds. However, first-round losers will still receive £2,000.

All 144 players will compete in Riyadh, with the early rounds following a quick best-of-seven format, culminating in a best-of-19 final for the massive top prize.

Since it is a ranking event, there won't be a golden ball or the possibility of a 167 break, unlike last season's World Masters of Snooker in Riyadh.

Morocco international becomes a 'Red Devil', rumoured and collapsed signings plague Gulf football

Morocco full-back Noussair Mazraoui has signed for one of the most high-profile clubs in English football, inking a £12.8m deal, with a further £4.3m in potential add-ons with Manchester United.

Mazraoui, now formerly of Bayern Munich, signed the four-year deal with the option to extend for a further year.

He was presented alongside fellow Bayern recruit Matthijs de Ligt on Tuesday, where they both spoke of their excitement to join the Manchester team.

Both Mazraoui and de Ligt had played under United manager Erik ten Hag at Dutch side Ajax, and both players credited his impact on their development.

Dutch-born Mazraoui was one of the break-out stars of Morocco’s successful run at the 2022 World Cup, which saw them become the first Arab and African team to reach the tournament’s semi-finals.

The full-back has won three league titles with the Dutch club and most recently with Bayern.

"It's an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt," he said.

"I know that I'm joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I've spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that."

Mazraoui, given the number 3 shirt, could see him make his debut for the Reed Devils on Friday as United play their season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, England and Brentford forward Ivan Toney has reportedly been offered a contract with Al-Ahli, as the Saudi Pro League seeks to continue to boost its roster with top European talent.

The French sports website Foot Mercato reported earlier this week that the Jeddah-based club is offering an annual salary of €18 million (£15.3 million), and a three-year contract.

Brentford FC are also fighting off alleged interest from Manchester United, though no deal has been signed yet.

Should Toney sign with Al-Ahli, he could join the likes of former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, formerly of Manchester City, as well as Roberto Firmino, who played with Liverpool.  Toney was among England’s penalty-scoring players in a key shootout against Switzerland in Euro 2024.

However, an anticipated football move to the Gulf has collapsed, as West Ham defender Kurt Zouma failed his medical earlier this week.

The 29-year was set to join Emirati side Shabab Al-Ahli, and had travelled to Dubai to go ahead with the medical – a key component of a successful football transfer and usually successful.

Details have yet to emerge as to why Zouma failed the test, and his agent are now reportedly looking for alternative options, BBC Sport reported.

The French international still has a year remaining on his contract with the East London club, though West Ham has already brought in central defender Jean-Clair Todibo  on loan from Nice as a possible replacement.

Shabab al-Ahli is one of the Gulf state's most successful clubs, and finished second in last season’s UAE Pro League.