Edinson Cavani 'turns down move to Saudi Arabia': reports

Edinson Cavani has allegedly turned down an offer to play in the Saudi Pro League, according to Saudi media reports.

Though no specific Saudi club was named, Cavani had been allegedly contacted by a broker for the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) - the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund that is reportedly worth $650 billion. 

The PIF owns the ‘Big 4’ Saudi Pro League clubs - Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad - so Cavani would have ended up at one of them if he had accepted the alleged offer.

The PIF bankrolled the big money moves of world-class talent like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Jota and Kalidou Koulibaly to the Saudi Pro League this year.  

The offer made to Cavani was allegedly worth €5 million per year, with a two-year contract.

The 36-year-old striker is currently at Spanish side Valencia, where he has one year remaining on a contract alleged to be worth around €4.1 million.

Cavani, Valencia and their representatives have yet to release a public statement regarding the alleged Saudi offer. However, it looks like the Uruguayan is fighting to stay at the La Liga side, with reports that the club are looking to sell him this summer after an underwhelming first season since his free transfer to the Mestilla. 

The New Arab reached out to Valencia for comment on the alleged PIF offer for Edinson Cavani but received no reply at the time of publication.