Jamie Carragher urges Premier League and UEFA to halt Saudi Arabian takeover of football

Jamie Carragher is clearly worried about the prospect of Bernardo Silva swapping the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League and has called on UEFA and the Premier League to stop sportswashing.

Since the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund took over the running of the country's four biggest football teams they have begun a shopping spree on European football.

Karim Benzema was the first to join his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the league ranked just the 58th best in the world.

Now the league has added N'Golo Kante and Ruben Neves to their ranks with several more high profile players reportedly in talks.

The move for Neves was the first for a player under the age of 30 and fans were quick to remind the former Wolves' star of his desire to play Champions League football.

Whilst most of the players they have targeted are beyond their best days and Neves had never quite reached the elite, a potential move for Manchester City star Silva would arguably be the PIF's biggest move to date.

At just 28-years-old the forward is just reaching his peak and won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble with Pep Guardiola's side earlier this month.

Carragher is clearly concerned by the idea of Silva moving to the Middle East and took to social media to make his case.

Bernardo Silva is in his peak years & has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years!

I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30’s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer… https://t.co/hcDUbkGp30

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) June 21, 2023

Responding to speculation that the former Monaco player was on the 'verge' of moving to the Saudi Pro League, the Liverpool legend said: "Bernardo Silva is in his peak years & has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years!

"I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30’s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer.

"Saudi have taken over Golf, the big Boxing fights & now they want to take over football!!

"This sports washing needs to be stopped!", whilst tagging UEFA and the Premier League.

The PIF also own Newcastle United and there have been reports of Neves going out on loan to Eddie Howe's side, despite only just arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Rival fans are also annoyed at how many Chelsea players could be headed there, especially as the PIF are said to be a 'major investor' in the Blues' majority shareholders.

Fears over Silva's move may not yet come to fruition with Fabrizio Romano claiming no decision has been made as PSG remain very interested and City still want to keep him, especially Jack Grealish.