The Saudi men's league has attracted superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema in recent years.
Three years ago, the Saudi Women's Premier League was formed, and more and more high-profile female players are now also choosing to move to Saudi Arabia.
Former Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala, German midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán, Icelander Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir and former French national team player Kheira Hamraoui are some who have already taken the step.
Rather a good life in Italy
The Swedish national team players, on the other hand, are not tempted by the supposedly fat paychecks.
No, then I'd rather go to like Italy and live a good life or to the USA and earn a little more money. But no, it's really nothing I want to do, says Chelsea defender Nathalie Björn.
Saudi Arabia has worked hard in recent years to wash away the country's tarnished image. On paper, women have been given increased rights – they are now allowed to drive a car, for example – but are still described by many activists as a police state where human rights are violated and women are discriminated against.
"Other things weigh more"
Nathalie Björn does not want to criticize the players who have chosen the Saudi league, but stands firm in her own stance:
They probably have their reasons why. But I feel that I couldn't have played in a country where women are not worth as much as men, says Björn.
Of course, people want to go there when there are things that attract, I suppose it's because there's a lot of money. So I understand in some way that they go there. But I feel that there are other things that weigh more than money.
National team colleague Linda Sembrant has not received any offer from Saudi Arabia herself, but has the same attitude as Björn.
Based on how the country looks, it doesn't feel like something I want to be a part of. It has never even been in my thoughts, says Sembrant.
