A harsh fact of modern football is shown by West Ham United’s pursuit of Youssef En-Nesyri: money talks louder than ever and the Premier League’s long-standing appeal is in jeopardy.

The oil money flooding into the Saudi Pro League is transforming the game. Seemingly unaffected by the Premier League’s prestige, En-Nesyri places more importance on the financial bonanza Saudi clubs provide. For Premier League teams, especially those outside the established top, this trend has the potential to become a significant barrier.

This challenge is highlighted by the Hammers’ pursuit of En-Nesyri, even with his former manager Lopetegui in charge. West Ham may not have the financial resources to match Saudi teams’ enormous wallets.

The rumored preference of En-Nesyri makes one wonder if certain players are drawn to the Premier League. Maybe the financial security offered overseas is more alluring than the fierce competition or the lifestyle in England.

West Ham must change. They must either discover means to match these new powers monetarily or select targets who value athletic competition over purely financial gain. This change in player priorities may require revisions to the traditional scouting approach.

Although West Ham is immediately let down, the Premier League as a whole should take note of this circumstance. If the league doesn’t adjust to these shifting player motives, cash-rich leagues may threaten the league’s long-standing dominance in the transfer market.