The Saudi Pro League’s lavish spending spree has shown no signs of abating, even as the European transfer window winds down.
The league has invested over £700 million on high-profile signings since the start of last summer, with the likes of Neymar, Fabinho, Milinkovic-Savic, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane joining the competition, following the acquisition of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
While the pace of spending has slowed compared to last year, Saudi clubs remain keen to add more star power to their rosters.
However, it’s worth noting that the Saudi transfer window closes on October 6, giving clubs extra time to finalize deals.
New Arrivals
Several notable players have joined Saudi clubs this summer, including:
Moussa Diaby (Al Ittihad) from Aston Villa for £51.9m
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Al Qadsiah) from Marseille for £7.5m
Nacho Fernandez (Al Qadsiah) on a free transfer
Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad) from Roma for £10.1m
Bento (Al Nassr) from Athletico Paranaense for £12.6m
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi (Al Ittihad) from Al Ettifaq for £6.2m
Julian Quinones (Al Qadsiah) from America for £11.6m
Predrag Rajkovic (Al Ittihad) from Mallorca for £9.4m
📝| رايكوفيتش نمر جديد في صفوف العميد ✍️#صيفية_العميد pic.twitter.com/FEInUa9QEy
— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) August 5, 2024
Saad Al-Mousa (Al Ittihad) from Al Ettifaq for £5.9m
Nahitan Nandez (Al Qadsiah) on a free transfer
Koen Casteels (Al Qadsiah) on a free transfer
Marek Rodak (Al Ettifaq) on a free transfer
Romarinho (Al Suqoor) from Al Ittihad on a free transfer
Ahmed Hegazy (Al Suqoor) from Al Ittihad on a free transfer
Norbert Gyomber (Al Kholood) from Salernitana on a free transfer
Aliou Dieng (Al Kholood) on loan from Ahly
Giacomo Bonaventura (Al Shabab) on a free transfer
Flavio (Al Taawoun) from Trabzonspor on a free transfer
Departures
Several players have left the Saudi Pro League:
Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli) on loan to Fenerbahce
Matheus Pereira (Al Hilal) to Cruzeiro
Woo-young Jung (Al Khaleej) to Ulsan Hyundai
Ivan Rakitic (Al Shabab) to Hajduk Split on a free transfer
David Ospina (Al Nassr) to Atletico Nacional on a free transfer
Joel Robles (Al Qadsiah) to Estoril Praia on a free transfer
Anthony Nwakaeme (Al Fayha) to Trabzonspor on a free transfer
Ahmed Yasin (Al Kholood) to Orebro SK on a free transfer
Andrei Burca (Al Okhdood) to FC Baniyas on a free transfer
Beni Nkololo (Al Orobah) to CFR Cluj on a free transfer
Munir Mohamedi (Al Wehda) to RS Berkane on a free transfer
Marcao (Al Ahli) on loan to Kocaelispor
Robin Quaison, Paulo Victor released by Al Ettifaq
Vladimir Stojkovic released by Al Fayha
Cristian Tello released by Al Fateh
Mariano Vazquez, Roberto Dias, Rafael Martins, Florin Tanase, Solomon Kvirkvelia released by Al Kholood
Rubin Hebaj released by Al Orobah
Luciano Vietto, Kevin Rodrigues, Alvaro Gonzalez released by Al Qadsiah
Andre Gray released by Al Riyadh
Faycal Fajr released by Al Wehda
Moustapha Zeghba released by Damac FC
Continued Pursuit of Stars
Despite significant spending, Saudi clubs are still actively pursuing high-profile players.
Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, as well as Barcelona trio Raphinha, Vitor Roque and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, and several other top European stars have been linked with moves to the Saudi Pro League.
