Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski supposedly both turned down the chance to move to the Saudi Pro League in January.
A plethora of celebrated European names were seduced by Middle Eastern riches this summer, with Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr - four clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund - splashing the cash.
The likes of Neymar, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, Sadio Mane and Gabri Veiga left the Champions League behind to compete in Saudi Arabia, where five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo also plies his trade.
Al-Shabab and Al Ettifaq also made some notable acquisitions, with the former bringing in Yannick Carrasco and Habib Diallo, while Jordan Henderson, Demarai Gray, Moussa Dembele and Georginio Wijnaldum joined Steven Gerrard's team.
Man City allowed both Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez to join Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli respectively, while Barcelona shipped Franck Kessie off to the latter club as well.
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According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi Pro League also pushed to bring De Bruyne and Lewandowski to the Middle East for the twilight of their careers, and "several" approaches were made.
However, De Bruyne made it clear that he only wanted to remain at Man City, while Lewandowski also turned his nose up to a mammoth payday in Saudi Arabia to continue in Barcelona colours.
De Bruyne's most recent Man City contract extension came back in the summer of 2021, though, and the 32-year-old only has two years left to run on his current deal, by which point he will be 34.
As a result, it is unclear whether the treble winners will sanction another renewal for the Belgium international, especially given his recent misfortune with injuries, having sustained a severe hamstring tear during June's Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
The former Chelsea man recovered in time to start against Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season, but he lasted just 23 minutes before aggravating the issue and is now set to be sidelined until January.
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In his absence, Julian Alvarez has shined up top with Erling Haaland, although De Bruyne is still expected to have a big part to play for Man City in the second half of the campaign.
The 32-year-old has contributed 96 goals and 153 assists in 358 competitive games for Pep Guardiola's side, and he won his third Premier League Playmaker award last term with 18 top-flight assists.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski is still kicking for Barcelona at the age of 35 and already has two goals and one assist under his belt from four La Liga appearances in the current campaign.
The Poland international scored a league-high 23 La Liga goals in 34 games last term to propel Barcelona to the title, in addition to netting five goals in five Champions League matches.
Lewandowski's Barcelona contract does not expire for another three years, and the Blaugrana also possess the option to prolong his stay until 2027, which would see him remain at the club just shy of his 39th birthday.
Ben Knapton
