Manchester United and Liverpool might take a trip to the dessert

He added: “The Premier League is the best league in the world. Everyone’s watching the Premier League. It’s the most watched league and there are diehard fans of these teams in the kingdom. So it would be a benefit for everyone.”

“I can say that we have a strong league. It’s not one of the strongest in Asia. You know, we’re building towards a better future. And we see how the future holds up for that.”

He continued: “And you know, I heard about these speculations in the news as, as everyone else. I don’t have any details about any of the reports that have been coming out. But you know, what I can say is that we have Messi as an ambassador for tourism in the kingdom with the ministry of tourism — and that’s benefited a lot.

“In terms of tourism for the kingdom, if they can, I’d love to see them both play in the Saudi league, and, you know, if top players come into the Saudi league and play that will reinforce the programs that we’re doing.”

The plan is to have both Ronaldo and Messi playing in the Saudi league. There are already a lot of tourists coming to the kingdom as a result, according to Prince Abdulaziz. If they can get both players signed up for the Saudi league, then that would be amazing, too.

Newcastle was bought last year by the Saudis through their Public Investment Fund. This was not controlled by the government despite being headed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman when he first came into power.

Another two Premier League clubs are now on offer: Liverpool and Manchester United. The sports minister would want either or both clubs under Saudi ownership if investors come along with a good business idea, and everything adds up right.

He added: “The Premier League is the best league in the world. Everyone’s watching the Premier League. It’s the most watched league and there are diehard fans of these teams in the kingdom. So it would be a benefit for everyone.”

“I can say that we have a strong league,” he went on to say, “It’s not one of the strongest in Asia. You know, we’re building towards a better future and we see how the future holds up for that.”

“And you know I heard about these speculations in the news as, as everyone else,” he continued, “I don’t have any details about any of these reports that have been coming out but what I can say is that we have Messi as an ambassador for tourism in the kingdom with ministry of tourism – and that’s benefited a lot.”

He continued telling reporters: “In terms of tourism for the kingdom, if they can, I’d love to see them both play in the Saudi league and you know if top players come into Saudi league and play that will reinforce programs that we’re doing.”