SUMMARY
- The Saudi Pro League is making waves with its ambitious transfer plans.
- Some fans see it as an opportunity for players to secure lucrative contracts.
The Saudi Pro League has set tongues wagging with its recent transfer ambitions. It has been steadily investing in infrastructure, attracting talented players, and increasing global visibility in recent years. This ambitious approach aims to establish the league as a major player in the world of soccer.
The Saudi Pro League’s ambitious transfer plans are undoubtedly bold. Significant potential benefits exist, but the challenges and potential pitfalls demand our attention. The success of this strategy will depend on careful planning. Financial responsibility and a focus on creating a sustainable and well-rounded soccer ecosystem within the league will be crucial as well.
7 top European players targeted by the Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League is also looking to sign younger players such as Matìas Soulè, a 20-year-old forward from Juventus. Although Saudi Arabian sources believe that the top-flight teams will not match their record spend of $957m from 2023. They claim that this summer’s transfer strategy will be equally aggressive.
Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes are all being targeted by Saudi Pro League teams, a source has told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JVpNgsA9S2
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 28, 2024
According to ESPN, teams from the Saudi Pro League are eyeing several Premier League stars. Some targeted established players include Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Raphaël Varane, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes.
Hearing the news, one fan reacted by saying, “Let them go, they are all old players, might as well retire and get good money.” While another added, “Honestly don’t understand why anyone would want to go there, after the experience of the players who went last year. Such a nothing league!”
Let them go, they are all old players, might as well retire and get good money https://t.co/MEhdQ7oh7J
— AndreWhatYouDoing (@ManUtdHorrorDay) February 28, 2024
Finally, reports indicate that the SPL will attempt to attract more high-profile coaches, including names like Thomas Tuchel, who is leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, FC Porto’s Sergio Conceicao, and under-pressure Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
In 2023, SPL transfer spending was the second highest after the Premier League’s $1.39bn spent. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), owns controlling stakes in Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Hilal. According to ESPN’s source, Al Qadisiyah, owned by Saudi Aramco, is expected to spend heavily in the summer if they are promoted to the SPL.
Egyptian legend claims Salah has already signed his contracts with the Saudi Pro League
Former Egypt striker Mido claims a deal to take Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League next season has been confirmed. The Saudi league has expressed interest in the Liverpool forward since last summer. Last summer they offered a supposed £150m for him, but Liverpool rejected it.
Despite this, continued speculation about Salah’s future persists. Given that Salah’s current Liverpool contract has less than 18 months left. Liverpool is facing a significant decision regarding whether to offer Salah another big-money renewal or sell him this summer. Salah has contracts due in the summer of 2025.
محمد صلاح في #الدوري_السعودي الموسم القادم تم توقيع العقود
— Mido (@midoahm) February 27, 2024
Due to his status as the Arab world’s biggest sporting superstar, Salah is a top target for the government-backed Saudi League. Mido wrote on X saying, “Mohamed Salah in Saudi Pro League next season contracts have been signed.”
Mido, who has been a vocal critic of Salah in the past. He recently called out the Liverpool star for leaving Egypt to return to Merseyside during the AFCON. It seems unlikely that Mido would be the first to know about a deal to take Salah to the Middle East.