“When Oil Meets Football: Saudi Pro League’s Extravagant Player Investments”

The summer transfer window in the world of football is always a spectacle, filled with excitement, rumors, and jaw-dropping moves. However, this year, one league has emerged as the focal point of attention: the Saudi Pro League. With the backing of the formidable $620 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s top-flight football division has risen as a hot destination for some of the biggest stars in European football. In this article, we explore the latest updates on who is making the move to the kingdom, who is saying “thanks, but no thanks,” and who is still mulling it over.

The PIF Effect

The Saudi Pro League has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few years, thanks to the substantial investment from the PIF. This sovereign wealth fund’s influx of funds has not only allowed clubs to strengthen their squads but has also heightened the league’s profile on the global stage. With state-of-the-art facilities, ambitious infrastructure projects, and attractive financial packages, the league is luring top-tier talent from across Europe.

Big Names Making the Move

• On June 6, Karim Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or holder, made a big move in the summer transfer market. He switched from Real Madrid, a powerhouse in European football, to Al Ittihad, a successful team in Asia. The transfer didn’t cost anything because it was a free transfer.

Benzema, who is 35 years old and plays for the French national team, signed a contract with Al Ittihad for two years. This contract is worth a staggering €400 million or $436 million.

• On June 21, N’Golo Kante, the French midfielder, ended a long transfer saga by leaving Chelsea after seven years. He moved to Al Ittihad, where his international teammate Benzema also plays, and it didn’t cost anything because it was a free transfer.

Kante, who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, will earn a whopping €86 million or $109.78 million every year during his four-year contract with the club based in Jeddah.

• On June 24, Ruben Neves moved from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Al Hilal for €55 million ($60 million).

• On June 25, Kalidou Koulibaly transferred from Chelsea to Al Hilal for £17 million ($21.61 million).

• On June 28, Edouard Mendy moved from Chelsea to Al Ahli for £16 million ($21 million).

• On July 3, Steven Gerrard became the new manager of Al Ettifaq, a club based in Dammam.

• On July 3, Marcelo Brozovic transferred from Inter Milan to Al Nassr for €18 million ($20 million).

• On July 3, Jota moved from Celtic to Al Ittihad for £25 million ($31.7 million).

• On July 4, Roberto Firmino joined Al Ahli on a free transfer after his contract with Liverpool ended.

• On July 12, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transferred from Lazio to Al Hilal for €40 million ($44 million).

• On July 18, Seko Fofana moved from Lens to Al Nassr for €25 million ($28 million).

• On July 23, Alex Telles transferred from Manchester United to Al Nassr for €4 million ($4.4 million).

• On July 26, Malcom joined Al Hilal for €60 million ($66 million).

• On July 27, Jordan Henderson moved from Liverpool to Al Ettifaq for £12 million ($15.4 million).

• On July 27, Moussa Dembele joined Al Ettifaq on a free transfer after his contract with Lyon ended.

• On July 27, Jack Hendry transferred from Club Brugge to Al Ettifaq for £6.5 million ($8.3 million).

• On July 28, Riyad Mahrez moved from Manchester City to Al Ahli for €35 million ($39 million).

• On July 30, Allan Saint-Maximin joined Al Ahli, and the transfer fee was undisclosed.

• On July 31, Fabinho transferred from Liverpool to Al Ittihad for £40 million ($51.33 million).

• On August 1, Sadio Mane moved from Bayern Munich to Al Nassr for £24 million ($30 million).

• On August 9, Franck Kessie moved from Barcelona to Al Ahli for €12 million ($13 million).

• On August 15, Neymar transferred from PSG to Al Hilal for €90 million ($98.6 million).

• On August 17, Yassine Bounou moved from Sevilla to Al Hilal for €21 million ($22.8 million).

• On August 19, Aleksandar Mitrovic transferred from Fulham to Al Hilal for £46 million ($58.6 million).

• On August 23, Otavio moved from Porto to Al Nassr for €60 million ($65 million).

Rejected player and coach deals:

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool to Al Ittihad): Liverpool won’t let Salah go despite Al Ittihad’s efforts to sign him.

• Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea to Al Nassr): Ziyech’s move to Al Nassr fell through due to concerns about his knee, and he joined Galatasaray on loan instead.

• Bernardo Silva (Manchester City to Al Hilal): Despite a mega offer from Al Hilal, Silva extended his contract with Manchester City until 2026.

• Saul (Atletico Madrid to Al Nassr): Saul is considering a move to Al Nassr, but Atletico Madrid wants a significant fee as he’s under contract until 2026.

• Kylian Mbappe (PSG to Al Hilal): Al Hilal made a huge bid, but Mbappe is not interested and plans to leave PSG as a free agent in 2023.

• Lionel Messi (PSG to Al Hilal): Messi turned down a record offer from Al Hilal to join MLS side Inter Miami.

• Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea to Al Hilal): Lukaku rejected a Saudi offer and wants a permanent move to Inter.

• Jose Mourinho (AS Roma to Al Ahli): Mourinho decided to stay with AS Roma despite an offer from Al Ahli.

• Son Heung-Min (Tottenham to Al Ittihad): Son chose to stay at Spurs despite a big offer from Al Ittihad.

• Luka Modric (Real Madrid to Al Hilal): Modric declined a lucrative offer to stay with Real Madrid.

• Jamie Vardy (Leicester City to Al Khaleej): Vardy is not interested in a move to the Middle East.

• Pedro (Flamengo to Al Hilal): Pedro turned down a lucrative offer from Al Hilal.

• Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace to Al Nassr): Zaha rejected a move to Al Nassr and signed with Galatasaray.

• Marco Silva (Fulham to Al Ahli): Silva received an offer from Al Ahli but didn’t confirm if he would take it.