The Saudi Pro League is gearing up for another round of high-profile transfers this summer as part of its efforts to raise its profile. Clubs in the league are targeting Premier League players such as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Alisson to bolster their squads. In addition to attracting players, there are plans to increase competitiveness in the league by seeking sponsorship from private businesses for clubs not backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Saudi Pro League was the second-highest spender on transfers in the 2023 summer window, with nearly 100 overseas players joining at a cost of approximately £750 million. Although not all of these signings have been successful, sources in Saudi Arabia express growing confidence in the league’s ability to attract top European players.
Mohamed Salah, who rejected a £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad last summer, is considered an “obvious target,” while several Saudi clubs are also interested in securing the services of Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper, Alisson. Other Premier League players such as Manchester United’s Casemiro and Raphaël Varane, who recently announced his departure from Old Trafford, have also been linked with moves to the Pro League.
Some players have expressed discontentment after moving to the Pro League, but officials in Saudi Arabia hope that the opening of exclusive resorts in the Red Sea will help improve player attraction. Salah, who has a contract with Liverpool until June 2025, is believed to be open to a move, particularly considering his regular visits to nearby Hurghada in Egypt.
The quota for foreign players in the Pro League has been expanded to 10 for the next season, with two of them required to be under the age of 21. This means that most clubs will have to make room for new signings by offloading players. League officials are keen on strengthening the overall competitiveness of the league by assisting smaller clubs in improving their squads.
Last year, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns a majority stake in Newcastle United, took control of four clubs—Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal—as part of an ambitious initiative to develop the domestic league into one of the world’s top ten. Additionally, government-affiliated companies, including the state-backed oil company Aramco, have invested in Pro League clubs.
However, league officials recognize the need for more investment in other clubs to create a strong competition. Average attendances for six clubs last season were below 4,000, and a change to Saudi Arabia’s Code of Law Practice is expected to attract investment by requiring foreign companies to register their businesses in the country. Local companies are also being encouraged to contribute to the league’s growth.