Journalist claims Koulibaly would have returned to Serie A if not for SP

Italian journalist Paulo Condò believes ex-Inter Milan transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly would have made his return to Serie A if it wasn’t for the sudden rise of the Saudi Pro League.

The 32-year-old spent eight years at Napoli, cementing himself as one of the best defenders in Italy if not Europe.

The Senegal international joined Chelsea last summer but endured a torrid campaign at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were more than happy to offload him to the KSA when Al-Hilal came knocking on the door.

For his part, Condò rues the emergence of the Saudi Pro League and its seemingly limitless spending power.

The Italian journalist feels that Koulibaly, among other veterans, would have landed in Serie A instead of plying his trade in the Middle East.

He also adds other former Premier League stars (the likes of N’Golo Kanté, Firmino and Fabinho) to the list of experienced players who could have made the jump to the Italian top-flight if it wasn’t for the Saudi riches.

“The spring of 2023 marked a small epiphany of the technical-economic model of contemporary Serie A,” argues the veteran journalist via FcInterNews.

“The Italian top-tier became a training league for young talents to be developed and sold, and an honorable haven for aging stars that top European clubs must abandon to make room for the new stars.”

Condò Believes Koulibaly And Others Would Have Joined Serie A If Not For The Saudi Pro League Riches

“Inter in Istanbulserved as the perfect example, made up of attracting stars (Onana, Lautaro, Barella, Bastoni ) and experienced veterans (Dzeko, Lukaku, Darmian, Mkhitaryan, all of whom had spells in the Premier League).

“Here, while the traffic in the upward direction continues – Onana and Tonali set off, Hojlund followed them with a bang – the one in the opposite direction was almost interrupted by the emergence of Saudi Arabia as a new footballing destination.

“Until last year, at least a few among Koulibaly, Kante, Mahrez, Fabinho and Firmino would probably have landed in Italy, with English clubs forced to accept low transfer fees and sophisticated formulas to save at least part of their investments.

“Well, that’s where the fun ends,” concludes Condò who offers a rather bleak picture of Serie A and Italian football in general.

But while Serie A clubs are struggling in their uphill transfer market battle against their Saudi counterparts, you’ll surely have better odds at succeeding with betting online in India.

As for Inter and the rest of the Serie A band, they may have to work harder on the market to find themselves suitable reinforcements, perhaps seeking players who prioritize competitive football over enormous paychecks.