Premier League clubs face having their squads raided by the Saudi Pro League for nearly a month after the transfer window has closed.
The Saudi spending campaign is threatening to reshape the global game, with Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante the latest high-profile player to make the move from Europe to the Middle East, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
And with clubs in Saudi Arabia able to sign players until September 20, the impact on the English top flight will continue to be felt for three weeks after the Premier League's transfer window closes on September 1.