The Saudi Pro League – also known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for sponsorship reasons – dominated the 2023 summer transfer window with many high-profile players leaving Europe in favour of a move to the rapidly rising division.
Cristiano Ronaldo started the trend, of course, taking an enormous contract at the start of the year to play for Al-Nassr.
And, now, with the 2024 summer transfer window edging closer, Football FanCast takes you through the latest news and transfer rumours…
Why players moved to the Saudi Pro League
Essentially, it came down to investment from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, or PIF. You'll have heard a lot about it when PIF purchased Newcastle United, of course.
The same fund purchased majority stakes in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad. The former two are the biggest clubs in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The latter two are the biggest in Jeddah, the country's second-largest city. All four now have incredible wealth behind them and are looking to make waves.
Latest Saudi Pro League games, results, league standings and top scorers
FFC brings you the latest of the action from the Saudi Pro League, as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar do battle.
ByMark Marston Saudi Pro League 2024 summer transfer window dates
The Saudi Pro League's summer transfer window is set to open on July 1, 2024, which near enough aligns with the rest of Europe's top leagues.
The window will remain open until September 7, 2024, whilst the other leading divisions in Europe will slam their doors shut on 1st.
Competition
Window Opens
Window Closes
Saudi Pro League
1 July 2024
7 September 2024
Premier League
14 June 2024
1 September 2024
EFL
10 June 2024
1 September 2024
La Liga
1 July 2024
1 September 2024
Serie A
1 July 2024
1 September 2024
Bundesliga
1 July 2024
1 September 2024
Ligue 1
10 June 2024
1 September 2024
Players who joined the Saudi Pro League
A steady stream of players have followed in Ronaldo's footsteps by ditching European football for a go at the Saudi Pro League and that trend is expected to continue this month.
The RSL outlaid an eye-watering £701.3m on transfer fees last summer, which doesn't account for the colossal wages on top of that.
So who decided to make the move? Here's a rundown of the 20 most expensive signings:
#
Player
Left
Joined
Fee
1
Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain
Al-Hilal
£78.3m
2
Malcom
Zenit St. Petersburg
Al-Hilal
£52.2m
3
Otávio
Porto
Al-Nassr
£52.2m
4
Rúben Neves
Wolves
Al-Hilal
£47.8m
5
Aleksandar Mitrović
Fulham
Al-Hilal
£45.7m
6
Fabinho
Liverpool
Al-Ittihad
£40.6m
7
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Lazio
Al-Hilal
£34.7m
8
Riyad Mahrez
Manchester City
Al-Ahli
£30.4m
9
Sadio Mané
Bayern Munich
Al-Ahli
£26m
10
Gabri Veiga
Celta Vigo
Al-Ahli
£26m
11
Roger Ibañez
AS Roma
Al-Ahli
£26m
12
Jota
Celtic
Al-Ittihad
£25.3m
13
Aymeric Laporte
Manchester City
Al-Nassr
£23.9m
14
Allan Saint-Germain
Newcastle United
Al-Ahli
£23.6m
15
Seko Fofana
Lens
Al-Nassr
£21.7m
16
Kalidou Koulibaly
Chelsea
Al-Hilal
£20m
17
Renan Lodi
Marseille
Al-Hilal
£19.7m
18
Luiz Felipe
Real Betis
Al-Ittihad
£19.1m
19
Bono
Sevilla
Al-Hilal
£18.2m
20
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea
Al-Ahli
£16m
Latest Saudi Pro League transfer rumours
In the winter transfer window, things were rather quiet in comparison to the summer, with clubs putting their wallets away to recover from what was a mental 2023 for transfers.
However, with the months flying by, there are a few rumours that have been circling around already ahead of the summer…
Romelu Lukaku Chelsea to Al-Ittihad
According to Rudy Galetti (as per Tribal Football), Al-Ittihad have already opened talks over the possibility of signing Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in the summer.
Al-Ittihad and other teams from the Middle East have shortlisted the Belgian as a "main target", which won't come as an issue for the Blues as they've done just fine without him this season.
Idrissa Gueye Everton to Saudi Pro League
According to Football Insider, Saudi Pro League clubs are ready to pounce to sign Idrissa Gueye this summer.
According to reports, Gueye's contract with the Toffees is set to expire this summer, and Saudi Pro League teams are 'ready to approach' him. The Senegalese player would be interested in relocating to the Middle East.
For Gueye, joining a Saudi Arabian team is reportedly seen as "an attractive proposition."
Mohamed Salah Liverpool to Saudi Pro League
Jose Enrique has claimed (as per Grosvenor Sports) that Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool this summer if the opportunity to move to the Saudi Pro League presents itself.
He stated:
“If the right offer comes then I think Salah will leave because I think he was actually trying to leave last summer. They were offered something like £200 million for him last summer and that was a real offer!
“When you get an offer like that, usually it means there is already an agreement between the player and the club. I think Salah had already agreed to go and I believe that he will finally go to Saudi Arabia this summer.
“Jurgen Klopp is leaving so it is the perfect time for Salah to go. There is a new cycle happening at Liverpool and lots of changes, so it is perfect for him. This will likely be the final big contract of his career, so I think he’ll leave for Saudi Arabia.”
This comes after a string of very sub-par performances from the Egyptian.