The Saudi Pro League is eyeing potential bids for stars like Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne this summer, provided the right circumstances arise. However, after last year’s transformative spending spree, the league’s latest powerhouse is opting for a more patient approach in its quest for high-profile signings, preparing for the next stage of its evolution. For now, Saudi clubs have been relatively restrained in their financial activity.

In the previous summer transfer window, Saudi Pro League teams made headlines with an astonishing £700 million in expenditures, ranking them just behind the Premier League, Ligue 1, and Serie A in terms of spending. Of this massive sum, £560 million was directed towards acquiring Premier League players, contributing nearly half of the league’s revenue from international transfers and fueling a record £2.36 billion in total outlay.

Notable transfers included Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, alongside Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy, all moving to the Middle East. This summer, however, the only significant transaction so far has been Moussa Diaby’s £50.5 million move from Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad.

Despite this, the financial resources remain ample. The Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence, with its eight-year transfer budget established last year, ensures that funds are available for future high-profile signings. Yet, it’s understood that securing players like Salah and De Bruyne might be more feasible if they are available on a free transfer should they not renew their contracts.

A strategic delay until January might be beneficial. The Saudi Pro League’s media rights contracts are set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, which runs from later this month until May. Introducing a star player now would not significantly impact the current TV revenue of £100 million per year, with only £10-15 million coming from international broadcasters. However, a high-caliber signing could dramatically boost media rights values worldwide.

Future investments will likely prioritize quality over quantity, aiming to enhance competitiveness and achieve a more balanced distribution of talent. The current pause in Saudi spending has also had a knock-on effect, impacting Premier League expenditure. According to Dr. Tom Bason from Coventry University’s Centre for Business in Society, last year’s window was driven by Saudi investment, which provided clubs with the means to spend or offload high-wage players.

Peter Hutton, a board member of the Saudi Pro League, highlighted that the league’s growth is part of a long-term vision, with a focus on sustainable development rather than immediate, short-term gains.