Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi club Al Nassr FC has seemingly kicked off a new trend. Numerous prominent European footballers are following in his footsteps. This transfer window is seeing more and more big names migrating to Saudi Arabia, after the superstar’s transfer in January.
A big reason behind the inclination toward the Saudi Pro League is money. The top clubs offer the players astronomical figures significantly higher than they make in Europe. These clubs are essentially funded by the PIF (Public Investment Fund) issued by the country’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. This explains the financial powers of the clubs, as we know a Gulf country like Saudi would lack in anything but wealth.
The Saudi Pro League has more pull than Barcelona 😭
1. Neves to Al-Hilal
2. Brozovic to AlNassr https://t.co/tpeytKE8kt pic.twitter.com/kvx8W9tDIM— Nufc Joe (@ClinicalBruno39) June 29, 2023
Understandably, many players past their prime – but still significant – are choosing Saudi as their home. But when looked at objectively, money might not be the only reason. After all, Saudi Arabia is the only country to beat Argentina in the World Cup 2022. The league might not be as strong as the top European Leagues, but the quality of football is still excellent.
Let’s look at some of the top European transfers to Saudi Arabian clubs. Note that this list includes rumors and pending transfers as well.
Top 10 European Transfers to the Saudi Pro League
10. Ruben Neves
Status: Confirmed
- The Portuguese and Wolves star has opted for a move to Saudi club Al Hilal for a fee of £47 million.
- The midfielder would earn £300k a week or £15.6 million a year, about six times more than his salary at his former English club.
- Neves is also the most expensive departure in the club’s history, parting from it with quite a bit of cash.
- Notably, he is also quite young at 26 years old compared to the others.
- It would be interesting to see when he goes up against his National teammate Ronaldo in a league match.
9. Hakim Ziyech
Status: Pending
- A Champions League winner with Chelsea, Ziyech’s recent spells haven’t been so great under Graham Potter. He did not get much playtime, and the club is also in a bad state.
- The 30-year-old Moroccan’s departure from Chelsea was imminent after big-money signings like Enzo Fernandez and Mudryk.
- As reported by Romano, he has already said yes to a move to Al Nassr, where he will be looking to feed goals to Cristiano.
- The club paid a transfer fee of £8 million, and the player would be making £12 million per season up to 2026. Almost everything is done except the medicals and the paper works after which the club will formally announce the news of the signing.
8. Edouard Mendy
Status: Confirmed
- Another Chelsea star who was instrumental in their 20/21 Champions League winning campaign. Last season, he lost his regular starting spot to Kepa under new management. This is probably why he decided to move on from the English club.
- The 31-year-old Senegalese goalkeeper’s signing was confirmed by the club Al-Ahli a newly promoted side, on the 28th of June, 2023.
- The club has signed a contract worth three years with the player and paid a generous transfer fee of £17 million to his former club. The player will also be earning a lot more now.
7. Kalidou Koulibaly
Status: Confirmed
- Koulibaly is the first defender, second Senegalese, and third Chelsea player on the list. After just one season in the Premier League, he has decided to look for a new team. Like his teammates, he was also not very happy with the new direction and management of the club.
- The Senegalese center-back is 32 years old, and the Saudi League can be a great new experience for him. So, he chose the Saudi-based club Al Hilal as his next destination.
- The club has confirmed the £20 million signing with a salary of £30 million per year that goes to the player. He would be earning almost twice the old amount with his new club.
- The player has admitted that money was a major motivator in his move.
6. Roberto Firmino
Status: Pending
- Roberto, a Liverpool legend, decided to leave the club at the end of last season after already having won everything. It is claimed that his next destination is Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
- Since the Brazilian forward’s contract expires on the 30th of June 2023, the club won’t have to pay a transfer fee for him.
- It would be a free transfer, and the remuneration will be fixed after direct negotiation with the player.
- Ithe club will offer him a 3-year contract.
5. Riyad Mahrez
Status: Rumor
- After winning the Treble with them last season, Algerian winger Mahrez is supposedly looking for a move outside Man City.
- As reported by various outlets, he is one of the main targets of Saudi club Al Ahli.
- According to them, the club is ready to offer him £43 million a season, about five times higher than his current earnings from playing.
- We speculate that 32-year-old Riyad would be ready for this transfer after finally winning the much-anticipated Champions League trophy last season.
4. N’Golo Kante
Status: Confirmed
- Kante is a world-class defensive midfielder winning the World Cup and Champions League throughout his lustrous career. He was also integral to the legendary 15/16 EPL-winning Leicester City squad. Owing to those, naturally, he would come with a high price tag.
- He will be a free transfer. However, his new club Al-Ittihad will pay a humongous amount of £86 million per year salary for the 32-year-old French International.
- He will join his National teammate Benzema at his new club.
3. Sergio Ramos
Status: Rumor
- 37-year-old Spanish defender Ramos has confirmed his exit from PSG after the end of last season. He has not announced anything regarding his next club yet.
- According to reports, several Saudi clubs like Al Hilal and Al Nassr are monitoring the situation.
- He is one of the best players who have accomplished everything in football. Indeed, he is going to be an expensive investment.
- Towards the conclusion of his career, he might finally reunite with his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano once again if the move to Al Nassr proves to be successful.
2. Karim Benzema
Status: Confirmed
- Benzema is the last Ballon d’Or recipient who seems to get better with age. The 35-year-old French striker sealed the deal with Saudi side Al-Ittihad after the end of last season. He is a seasoned forward who can be instrumental in retaining the league title next season.
- He is getting paid an unbelievable amount of £172 million per year with a contract that runs for three years. This makes him one of the highest-paid athletes in the whole world.
- We look forward to his interaction with former Real Madrid colleague Cristiano Ronaldo when they face each other on the field.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Status: Confirmed
- He needs no introduction, does he? He is the man who set this chain in motion, after all.
- Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi club Al Nassr after a bitter dispute resulting in a mutually terminated contract with his former club Manchester United.
- The transfer saw him getting a record-breaking contract that offered a wage of £173 million per year for two years. He joined the club on the 1st of January, 2023.
- In the past six months, he has settled in quite well and has scored an impressive 14 times in just 19 appearances.
- Despite his best efforts, the team finished second in the table last season. Ronaldo will look to change that, leading his club to glory this season.
These are the Top 10 European Transfers to the Saudi Pro League. Do you think we missed any of the biggest transfers between these two leagues? Let us know in the comments below!
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