The Saudi Pro League continues to attract high-profile players, although the levels of lavish spending seen a year ago have declined.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia’s top flight from Manchester United at the end of 2022, the division’s top teams, funded by the country’s Public Investment Fund, have sought to land some of the world’s most famous footballers.
While some of the lavish sums spent in 2023 haven’t quite been replicated this year, plenty of stars have been linked with moves to the Pro League. Plus, with the competition’s transfer window open well beyond August, there’s a good chance several major deals will be completed even after Premier League clubs have largely wrapped up their business.
THE Jugo Mobile looks at the key dates in the 2024 Saudi Pro League transfer window, and who could still make the move this year.
When does the Saudi Pro League transfer window close in 2024?
The latest transfer window for the Saudi Pro League opened on July 17, 2024and it will close on October 6, 2024This means that Saudi Arabian clubs will have the opportunity to sign players for more than a month after the Premier League transfer deadline.
Of course, this can create complications for Saudi clubs hoping to sign marquee players. European teams with closed transfer windows are less likely to sell their stars if they cannot recruit replacements.
Who are the big names that could settle in Saudi Arabia?
It is obviously difficult to speculate on potential transfers to Saudi Arabia, but there are a handful of transfers that look likely to materialise in the coming weeks.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been tipped to join the Pro League after an initial lack of suitors in the Premier League. Al Ahli are said to have negotiated a possible deal, although Sky Sports On 27 August, Chelsea announced that they were prepared to make a late move for the England striker.
Kieran Trippier was linked with a Saudi move in January and interest in the England full-back could increase given he lost his starting place at Newcastle United, although manager Eddie Howe has said he wants to keep the player.
Joao Cancelo The Napoli striker could join a Pro League club if no agreement is reached between Manchester City and Barcelona, where he spent last season on loan. Victor Osimhen could be tempted by the salary on offer if his preferred move to Chelsea does not materialise.
How much money did Saudi clubs spend in 2024?
After an initial influx of celebrity talent in late 2022 and 2023 worth over €700 million ($780 million), Saudi spending has been a little less extravagant in 2024.
As of August 26, Al Ittihad have spent the most money during this transfer window among Saudi Pro League clubs, spending just under €97 million ($108 million), most of it to sign Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa.
Yet, based on the league’s total spending during that period, Transfer marketrepresents only about 196 million euros ($219 million). On the other hand, Premier League Clubs had spent around €1.98 billion ($2.2 billion) during that window, with Chelsea alone spending more than all the Saudi Pro League clubs combined.
