What happened to Saudi Pro League's plan to enter 'wildcard' team into revamped UEFA Champions League

The Saudi Pro League announced ambitious plans to enter a 'wildcard' team into the revamped Champions League last summer - but the plan has yet to come to fruition.

The league delved into the European transfer market in a big way last year, bringing high-profile stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Sadio Mane and N'Golo Kante to the league.

Moves for the likes of Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah were attempted but ultimately failed.

Spending has been more low-key this summer, with the league choosing to focus more on developing home-grown talent, but proof that the money is still there if necessary has been proven this week with likes to the apparently Chelsea-bound Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

And Al Hilal have agreed a £21.2 million deal with Manchester City to sign full-back Joao Cancelo.

Last year, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Saudi authorities wanted the winners of its Pro League to be entered into the Champions League group stage from the 2024/25 season.

The benefits of such a move would be obvious, with the Saudi Pro League being given a bigger profile on the world stage while allowing the league's best players to test themselves once again against Europe's elite.

However, the plan has appeared not to move forward since it was first reported.

The chair of the European Clubs Association, PSG chief Nasser Al Khelaifi, said in September 2023 that it would be 'very, very difficult' to permit any club from outside of Europe compete in the Champions League.

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He explained: "Today, we are trying to let more European clubs participate in European competition [referencing the increased format from 32 teams to 36]. The smaller and medium clubs want that.

"I don't see there are other clubs coming from outside to Europe, I don't know what is going to happen in a few years, but today I don't see that anyone from outside will play here."

On the prospect of a potential standalone match between a team from Europe and potentially another continent in the future, Al Khelaifi added: "If there is a Super Cup or something, why not? But to play in Europe in a competition, if you are not a European club... I do not see."