PREMIER LEAGUE stars have hired private security while on holiday in Dubai after fearing they will be targeted by thugs.
A host of big-name players jetted over to the Middle East hotspot to kick back and relax during the first-ever Premier League winter break.
Paul Pogba trained alone while his Manchester United stars worked together in Spain, Marcus Rashford was out with Ryan Sessegnon and James Maddison partied with Leicester team-mate Ben Chilwell.
Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal even trained at the same sports complex in Dubai to get some warm-weather work in – with the Gunners even enjoying a camel ride.
But reports claim the superstars were forced to fork out thousands on personal guards after believing they had become easy targets.
In fact, concierge services were offering the players 24-hour-a-day security in a bid to keep them – and their expensive belongings – safe.
A source told the Daily Mail: “The landscape has changed significantly in Dubai in recent years.
“It’s not as peaceful as it once was. Players are sitting ducks, particularly the ones who aren’t so low key.
“Having more security is probably a good idea.”
Footballers are certainly never shy of flaunting their wealth, often spotted with glitzy watches, mega-expensive bags and, of course, their cars.
Worryingly, footballers are increasingly become targets for thieves – with Arsenal duo Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac robbed by knife-wielding thugs earlier this season.
Kolasinac chased off two attackers, with reports claiming they were after Ozil’s 200,000 watch in the North London attack.
Both players immediately beefed up their security, with their houses under round-the-clock protection.
But now star names are turning to help even on their holidays, with social media meaning their lives are never private and their whereabouts almost always known to crooks.
