Top Five Transfers in The Saudi Pro League So Far This Summer
The Saudi Pro League has been one of the most active transfer markets in the world this summer with several big-name players making the move to the Middle East.
These transfers have the potential to shake up the league and make it more competitive so let’s look at some top players that have signed for the Saudi Pro League.
Karim Benzema to Al Ittihad
One of the biggest transfers of the summer was Karim Benzema’s move to Al Ittihad.
The ex-Real Madrid striker joined the Saudi club on a free transfer, making him one of the highest-paid players in the world. Benzema is a proven goal scorer and he will be expected to lead Al Ittihad to their first league title since 2009.
After spending 14 years at Real Madrid and 657 games later, Benzema is set to lead the Al Ittihad’s attack. Having already scored and provided an assist in his first game, he is a player to watch.
N’Golo Kante to Al Ittihad
Another big-name signing for Al Ittihad is N’Golo Kante. The Chelsea midfielder also joined the club on a free transfer, bringing his world-class talent to the Saudi Pro League.
Kante is a two-time Premier League champion and a World Cup winner and he will add a lot of quality to Al Ittihad’s midfield but let’s see what the Frenchmen has to offer in a new environment.
Sadio Mane to Al-Nassr
Sadio Mane is another big name that has joined the Saudi Pro League.
He will be playing alongside the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo this coming summer. The forward joined Bayern Munich last summer, but despite a respectable 12 goals and six assists in 38 appearances, he struggled to find his best form at Allianz Arena.
The Senegalese international is the fourth signing for the club this summer with the Saudi outfit agreeing to a deal worth £34 million.
Ruben Neves to Al Hilal
The most expensive transfer in Saudi Arabian history is Ruben Neves’ move to Al Hilal.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder signed for the club for a reported £47 million.
Neves is a talented midfielder who can control the game from the centre of the park. He will be a key player for Al Hilal as they look to defend their league title.
Jordan Henderson to Al- Ettifaq
Henderson has signed for Al-Ettifaq for a sum of £13 million where he will be joining his former Liverpool teammate and new head coach Steven Gerrard.
The Liverpool captains move has indeed sent shockwaves in the footballing world, but so has most of the transfers this season.
These are just a few of the top transfers that have taken place in the Saudi Pro League this summer. With so many talented players now plying their trade in the Middle East, it will be interesting to see how the league shapes up this season.
The arrival of big-name players in the Saudi Pro League is having several effects on the league.
First, it is making the league more competitive. With so many talented players now in the league, it is becoming more difficult for any one team to dominate.
Second, it is raising the profile of the league. The arrival of big-name players is attracting more attention to the league from around the world.
Third, it is helping to develop the local talent pool. The presence of big-name players is providing inspiration and motivation for local players. It is also helping to raise the standards of the league.
China also tried to do something similar to this a few years ago, however, it did not go as planned.
The Saudi Pro League is undergoing a period of change with the arrival of big-name players playing a major role in this change.
It will be interesting to see how the league shapes up in the coming years, but there is no doubt that the arrival of these players has made the league more competitive, more attractive and more beneficial for local talent.
