REVEALED: Most shocking Saudi transfer yet

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 4 Jul 2023 15:46 BST
• 3 min read

Yet another big name could be on their way from Europe to Saudi Arabia: Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

The flamboyant whistle-blower has established himself as one of the top officials in La Liga, and is regularly appointed to Champions League games and major international tournaments.

Now, though, Mateu Lahoz could be set for a different challenge altogether, having just endured one of the most controversial seasons of his career – during which he took charge of Argentina’s ill-tempered 2022 World Cup quarter-final victory over the Netherlands.

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According to Relevo, the 46-year-old has been offered a significant contract to go and officiate in the Saudi Pro League.

The report adds that the Saudis also want Mateu Lahoz to head up the refereeing school within the country’s FA so that he can impart his knowledge onto the next generation of officials.

He wouldn’t be the first European referee to take charge of a game in Saudi Arabia, though: in April, Premier League regular Michael Oliver was drafted in to oversee a clash between Al-Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, for which he reportedly earned more than £2,000.

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Saudi Arabia's big push

Amid a concerted push to attract top players from Europe’s big five leagues to the country, Karim Benzema and Kalidou Koulibaly are among those who will be plying their trade in the Saudi Pro League next season – with champions Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal respectively.

Neymar has also been strongly linked with a switch to Al-Hilal, who failed to sign Lionel Messi before he ultimately decided to join Inter Miami.

The influx of stars really began with Ronaldo – who joined Al-Nassr back in January, having left Manchester United by mutual consent last November.