Forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema - Kylian Mbappe joining Al-Hilal would be a true game-changer for the Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo proved the catalyst, immediately putting the Saudi Pro League on the map by moving to Al-Nassr in January. Karim Benzema then confirmed the competition’s appeal to ageing superstars with his summer transfer to Al-Ittihad. Now, though, Kylian Mbappe might just be about to about to bring the precious credibility that Saudi Arabia is so desperately craving.

On Sunday evening, it was claimed that the France international had been offered €200 million (£173m/$222m) to join Al-Hilal. Even just a couple of months ago, such a report would have been immediately dismissed as nonsensical.

There mere idea that Mbappe would even consider leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia would have seemed laughable. Not anymore, though – and for a couple of key reasons.