Which top players have moved to the Saudi Pro League and what happens next?
The football world has been shaken up by clubs from the Saudi Pro League (SPL) who are attracting some of the beautiful game’s BIGGEST names.
Could the SPL become more prestigious and continue to disrupt the existing order in the sport? Let’s take a brief look at who’s moved there, some of the most significant facts and figures and what happens next. Football has arrived at a new frontier.
All transfer values referenced in this article are in Euros and quoted via Transfermarkt.
Major SPL signings so far
Rúben Neves (26) - Wolves to Al Hilal (€55m)
Jota (24) - Celtic to Al Ittihad (€29.1m)
Kalidou Koulibaly (32) - Chelsea to Al Hilal (€23m)
Edouard Mendy (31) - Chelsea to Al Ahli (€18.5m)
Marcelo Brozović (30) - Inter to Al Nassr (€18m)
Karim Benzema (35) - Real Madrid to Al Ittihad (Free transfer)
N’Golo Kanté (32) - Chelsea to Al Ittihad (Free transfer)
Chelsea looking to balance the books
The Blues have gone on something of a selling spree with 3 players aged 31 or older moving to the SPL. It will certainly help them reduce their wage bill, and they’ve also sold Kai Havertz to Arsenal and Mason Mount to Man Utd. This business should help them fulfil UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations, for now at least.
Not everything has gone smoothly for them though. Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech was all set for a move to Al Nassr before complications with his medical. He remains a Chelsea player. This isn’t the first time the Londoners have lined up a move away from Stamford Bridge for Ziyech only for it to collapse at the last moment.
The Blues are also reportedly in talks with Lyon over the sale of Christian Pulisic for around €25m plus a significant sell-on fee. AC Milan have also enquired about the American.
Stevie G joins Al Ettifaq
Back to the SPL and it’s not only BIG-name players who are swapping Europe for Saudi Arabia. Former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard, who is obviously remembered as a Liverpool playing legend, will embark on his next managerial adventure in Saudi Arabia.
Latest SPL rumours
Al Nassr have reportedly lodged an offer for Inter Milan goalkeeper André Onana, according to @JamesBenge on Twitter. Onana is believed to be Man Utd’s number 1 target in that position and, if they beat the Red Devils to his signature, it would be quite a statement.
The 27-year-old Cameroonian was outstanding as his Nerazzurri side went all the way to the final of the Champions League in 2022/23. Could Onana be lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo soon?
Where to next for Saudi Arabian football?
It’s clear that with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté as their headline names, the Saudi Pro League is eager to increase its stature as a football force. There are also plans afoot to invest heavily at grassroots level. According to The Athletic, “key to the SPL’s growth plan is developing homegrown players to go alongside the BIG-name signings and investing in the pyramid to make the domestic game sustainable.”
Who’s going to tussle for the title?
Al Ittihad pipped Ronaldo’s Al Nassr to the title last time out and they’ll likely be favourites to defend their crown with Benzema and Kanté joining the ranks. However, with superstars sprinkled all across the division, it could be an exciting race with a number of contenders in the mix. Al Hilal finished third in 2022/23.
The football landscape is changing
Will top Saudi sides aim to change the age profile of their signings in subsequent windows or continue to draft in seasoned pros with established reputations? Al Hilal did their best to sign the great Lionel Messi, only for the Argentinian to opt for a surprise move to Inter Miami. That move is further evidence that the football landscape is changing right before our eyes.
CR7 still the poster boy
38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scored 14 goals in 16 appearances for Al Nassr in his debut season with the club after joining in December 2022. He believes the SPL is only going to get better, and many of his 594 million followers on Instagram will probably agree with that assertion.
“In my opinion, if they continue to do the work that they want to do here for the next 5 years, I think the Saudi league can be a top-5 league in the world,” Ronaldo said at the beginning of June. “The league is very good but I think we have many opportunities to still grow.”
When does the SPL transfer window close?
Clubs in Saudi Arabia have until 20th September to do more deals, so we could still see more of an influx of stars to this increasingly attractive and fascinating football league.
