Saudi clubs have already taken cautious first steps in negotiations with Barcelona, the most attractive club in the world right now. Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ittihad have previously met with Barcelona’s sporting directors to discuss signing key players. The offers they can make—especially from Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr—could be astronomical.

In reality, if Barcelona decides (which it currently does not intend to), it could solve a significant portion of its financial problems with a new influx of oil dollars. Saudi teams have two or three Barcelona players in mind whom they want to sign at any cost. However, the key question is whether the players themselves are interested in these tempting offers. If they decide to leave, they could even triple their current salaries.

The club with the most urgent need is Al-Hilal, the team that might lose the league title to Al-Ittihad. They are the most powerful club in Saudi Arabia and the same club that signed Neymar—a transfer they don’t seem entirely satisfied with. Al-Hilal has also tempted Vinícius Júnior for next season, though everything indicates the Brazilian star prefers to stay in Europe for a few more years before moving to Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal is also pursuing Raphinha, a player Barcelona is currently negotiating to renew, but no agreement has been reached yet.

The reason for the delay is disagreement over the length of the new contract and salary. Raphinha has had a standout season and is on the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Al-Hilal previously tried to sign him, but the doors were closed then, and it’s unlikely he’ll leave now while Barcelona is on the verge of winning major trophies. However, the offer will remain on the table.

Meanwhile, Al-Nassr is targeting central defenders—not from the reserve team or players like Lenglet, who is owned by Barcelona and will be on the transfer market—but key starters. Preferably Jules Koundé or Ronald Araújo. The answer, as with Raphinha, is currently negative. However, the situation is different for Andreas Christensen, as this defender will be on the market from July 30 and might be open to the move.

Al-Ittihad, which paid €5 million a few months ago to sign Unai Hernández from Barcelona’s academy, is looking for a central midfielder or a winger. Their initial idea was Frenkie de Jong—a transfer that could have been likely in past months when his future at Barcelona was uncertain. But now it seems he will renew his contract as one of the team’s key players for the coming years.

One thing is certain: Saudi clubs won’t give up and will make tempting offers. It’s also certain that Barcelona must make smart sales to improve its financial and sporting situation—something it must do consistently, year after year.