MENA Sports Wrap: Barcelona star Lewandowski turns down Saudi Pro League's €100m offer

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski reportedly turned down a staggering €100 million offer from Saudi Arabia, opting to see out his future at Camp Nou rather than join the Pro League's growing cast of stars. The Saudi push is being felt in the women's game too, with Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala leaving Bay FC after just one season to sign for Al-Hilal in Riyadh.

In cricket, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan marked a milestone by becoming the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals during a win over the UAE.

And over in Spain, Villarreal's deadline-day signing of Israeli forward Manor Solomon has provoked strong backlash from fans over Israel's war on Gaza.

Barcelona superstar 'rejected a mammoth €100 million offer' from Saudi Arabia in the summer

Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr tried to lure Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski with a staggering offer worth around €100 million annually, including incentives and bonuses, according to Spanish media reports.

The 37-year-old Poland international, who joined Barça from Bayern Munich in 2022 and remains one of Europe's most prolific goalscorers, reportedly turned down the approach and asked to postpone talks, as he wishes to stay in Catalonia for now.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which oversees the recruitment drive for the Roshn Saudi League, confirmed Lewandowski was high on their target list this summer, with Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr both prioritising him.

Following his rejection, Al-Hilal moved instead for Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez.

Saudi clubs have signed a string of European stars since launching their high-profile push in 2023. Still, Lewandowski’s refusal underlines the ongoing challenge of convincing some senior players to leave Europe's top competitions.

With his Barcelona contract due to expire at the end of this season, questions remain over whether this campaign will be his last at Camp Nou, with Saudi Arabia a likely destination for the ageing goal machine.

Asisat Oshoala heads to Al-Hilal in the Saudi women's league on transfer from Bay FC

Forward Asisat Oshoala has joined Saudi Women's Premier League club Al-Hilal on transfer from Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The 30-year-old Nigerian international signed a two-year contract with Al-Hilal.

Oshoala joined Bay FC ahead of its inaugural season in 2024 from Barcelona, where she won two Women's Champions League titles. She scored a team-high seven goals in her first year with the San Francisco Bay Area team.

The 30-year-old scored Bay FC's first franchise goal on 17 March 2024, in the 17th minute of a match against Angel City.

"Asisat has been an incredibly important part of Bay FC history, not only with her impact on the pitch but also through the energy, professionalism, and kindness she brought every day," Matt Patter, Bay's sporting director, said in a statement on Tuesday.

"She is a world-class player and an even better person, and we are grateful for everything she contributed to our club in its first season."

A six-time African player of the year, Oshoala was on the Nigerian team that won its 10th Africa Cup of Nations title in July.

Nigeria's Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega also play for Al-Hilal.

Rashid Khan sets T20 record as Afghanistan beats UAE

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan became the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals as his side defeated the United Arab Emirates by 38 runs in the tri-series on Monday.

The leg-spinner claimed 3-21 to take his career tally to 165 wickets, surpassing New Zealand pacer Tim Southee’s previous record of 164. His spell, combined with left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf’s 3-24, derailed the UAE’s chase of 189. The hosts were restricted to 150-8 after losing seven wickets for just 46 runs in the middle overs.

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem gave his side hope with a blistering 67 from 37 balls, featuring six sixes and four fours. Dropped on 20, he reached his half-century with only 25 deliveries and even launched Khan for a straight six, but his dismissal in the 10th over triggered the collapse.

Asif Khan, who scored a fifty against Pakistan on Sunday, lasted only three balls before Khan bowled him with a googly. Khan sealed the record with a faint edge off Dhruv Parashar. Rahul Chopra battled to an unbeaten 52, reaching his half-century with a last-ball six.

Earlier, Afghanistan posted 188-4, built on half-centuries from Ibrahim Zadran (63) and opener Sediqullah Atal (54). Atal, who struck his maiden T20 fifty, shared an 86-run stand with Zadran for the second wicket. Late cameos from Azmatullah Omarzai (20) and Jannat (23) added to the total. Left-arm quick Muhammad Rohid, on his series debut, took 2-34 for the UAE.

Both sides wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence in memory of the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan that killed around 800 people and injured more than 2,500 on Sunday.

Pakistan, who top the table after victories over Afghanistan and the UAE, face Afghanistan again on Tuesday. The tournament is serving as preparation for the Asia Cup, which begins in the UAE on 9 September.

Villarreal's signing of Israel's Solomon sparks fan backlash

Villarreal are facing criticism from supporters after completing a deadline-day move for Israeli international Manor Solomon.

The 26-year-old forward arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur late on Monday, closing out Villarreal's summer transfer window. Solomon, who spent last season at Leeds United, has also played for Fulham and Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.

His signing immediately provoked anger online, with many fans condemning the club for recruiting a player who had publicly voiced support for Israel during its genocidal war on Gaza.

Solomon's political stance had already sparked criticism in England, and his arrival in Spain had triggered a fresh wave of backlash.

The controversy mirrors another case in Germany last month, when Fortuna Düsseldorf cancelled a move for Israeli striker Shon Weissman following uproar over his social media posts.

Weissman had called for Israel to "wipe Gaza off the map" and to "drop 200 tons of bombs on it", comments that led to widespread outrage and the collapse of his proposed transfer from Granada.

For Villarreal, Solomon's arrival has overshadowed what was otherwise a busy transfer window. The eastern Spain club spent more than €100 million on reinforcements and are preparing for a Champions League return, but the focus has shifted to the political controversy surrounding their new signing.