Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned other European teams that more high-profile players will move to Saudi Arabia in the future.
City recently bid farewell to Algeria international Riyad Mahrez, who completed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia earlier this year and a number of big names have followed in the last few weeks, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson.
Read: Man City 'given deadline' to complete record transfer
Guardiola insists that clubs might find it tough to hold on to their players if the Saudi Pro League comes knocking.
"Riyad got an incredible offer and that's why we could not say don't do it," Guardiola said, as per the Mirror.
"Our thoughts were for him to stay here, definitely.
"A few months ago when Cristiano [Ronaldo] was the only one to go, no one thought this many top, top players would play in the Saudi league. In the future there will be more and that's why clubs need to be aware of what is happening.
"Saudi is not about being a threat, it is a reality. They want to create a strong league and so far they are the league who can do it. The Premier League spent more than the others because the organisation is better and the broadcast rights are higher.
"The Saudi league, I don't know how long they will sustain that. But the players want to take this experience and play in that league. Saudi Arabia has changed the market."
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