Mbappe snub won’t deter mega-rich Saudi clubs as Barcelona flop seals £52m move

And while Mbappe may not be heading to the Arabian Gulf, it appears his PSG team-mate Marco Verratti is keen to earn one last big payday after spending 11 years in Paris, as he is set to join Al Hilal’s star-studded squad.

Chelsea have already sold two of their players, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, for a combined £40m to Al Ahli and Al Hilal respectively. Hakim Ziyech would have been a third had the Moroccan not encountered issues with his medical with Al-Nassr, with the winger still stranded with the west London club.

With reports that the PIF have put aside £17bn to invest in their football clubs, ranging from player salaries to transfer fees, it could be one of the biggest transfer windows football is ever likely to see. The failure to lure Mbappe is unlikely to change that, with several stars whom are able to command massive fees likely to be tempted by the limitless riches offered by Saudi clubs.

It could do the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea a massive favour in helping them offload fringe players for inflated fees. But sooner rather than later, their best players will be targeted next – and at that stage, it might be Erling Haaland who is fielding offers next.