After a historic and memorable window, the Saudi Arabian transfer deadline has officially passed, meaning that Saudi Pro League sides can no longer make any new signings from other clubs.
It has been a whirlwind period for football in Saudi Arabia, with more £700m spent by Saudi clubs in this past transfer window and a number of big-name players across the world having made the move to the Middle East.
Brazilian superstar Neymar departed French champions Paris St-Germain to join Al-Hilal in a deal worth £77.6m, whilst 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema shocked world football when he left Spanish giants Real Madrid for reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad. Premier League winners N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez have also made the move to Saudi Arabia.
Whilst Al-Ittihad failed with a £150m bid to sign Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, three big-name players from the Reds have left to join Saudi Pro League clubs. Al-Ittihad brought in Fabinho, whilst Al-Ettifaq pulled off a coup by signing club captain Jordan Henderson, the England international reuniting with former teammate Steven Gerrard, who manages the side. Forward Roberto Firmino signed a deal to join Al-Ahli, who have named the Brazilian captain. He is one of four players Al-Ahli have signed from Premier League clubs.
Salah wasn’t the only big-name player to have turned down a move to Saudi Arabia. Paris St-Germain accepted a world-record £259m bid for striker Kylian Mbappe from Al-Hilal. However, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner turned down the chance to join, instead choosing to stay at PSG with one year remaining on his contract. The expectation is that Mbappe will wind up at Real Madrid either in January or next summer, although PSG will no doubt attempt to tie the Frenchman down to a new contract.
