Saudi Arabia transfer tracker: Every confirmed major summer deal

One of the big talking points of this summer transfer window is the rise of the Saudi Pro League.

Four of the nation’s biggest clubs in Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli are now 75% owned by the Public Investment Fund, which has dramatically increased their spending power.

As such, some of the biggest stars in European football are deciding to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps and make the move to Saudi Arabia. 

We run you through all the major done deals.

Al-Ahli

Roberto Firmino

Roberto Firmino, 31, decided to join Al-Ahli on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool. The Brazilian ace signed a three-year deal with the Jeddah-based outfit.

During his eight years with the Reds, the 55-cap international helped them lift the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Read more: Firmino joins Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli

Edouard Mendy

Edouard Mendy became the third Chelsea star to seal a Middle East move when joining Al-Ahli for an undisclosed fee.

Having played a key role in the Blues’ 2021 Champions League triumph, the Senegal stopper lost his starting spot at Stamford Bridge last term and has now headed for pastures new.

Read more: Chelsea’s summer sales continue as Mendy Eds for Saudi

Al-Ettifaq

Moussa Dembele

Former Fulham, Celtic and Lyon striker Moussa Dembele signed a four-year deal with Al-Ettifaq.

The 27-year-old is set to spend his prime years in the Middle East.

• Koulibaly, a defender for Senegal and Chelsea, has joined Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Jordan Henderson

Steven Gerrard welcomed fellow Liverpool legend Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq.

England midfielder Henderson arrived for around £12million on a reported £700,000-a-week salary.

Al-Hilal

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly departed Chelsea just a year after signing from Napoli. 

The deal for the 32-year-old centre-back cost Al-Hilal a reported £20m, with his contract running until 2026.

Malcom

Former Barcelona winger Malcom became Al-Hilal’s record signing by joining from Zenit Saint Petersburg for a reported fee of £51.4m.

The 26-year-old Brazil international played 109 games for his former employers, scoring 42 goals and winning four Russian Premier League titles.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was Al-Hilal’s third major summer signing, ending his eight-year stint at Lazio.

The Serbian midfielder, 28, joins Jorge Jesus’ outfit on a three-year contract for a reported £34m.

Ruben Neves

Wolves received a club record fee of £47m from Al-Hilal for their former captain Ruben Neves, who had just one year remaining on his deal at Molineux.

The Portuguese midfielder — still only 26 — signed a three-year contract with the 18-time Saudi Pro League champions.

Read more: Neves bids farewell to Wolves after sealing Al-Hilal move

Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, 35, got Saudi’s summer business under way by joining champions Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.

The Real Madrid icon signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year, which is reportedly worth around £100m per season.

Read more: Benz signing moves Al-Ittihad into the fast lane

Jota

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Al-Ittihad secured the services of talented winger Jota, 24, from Celtic in another blockbuster move by the Jeddah-based side.

The Lisbon native was a crucial component in Ange Postecoglou’s team that won the Scottish Premiership last season, during which he registered 11 goals and 11 assists.

N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kante, 32, chose to walk the same path as his compatriot Benzema by moving to Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.

The all-action midfielder left Chelsea after seven years of quality service, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal worth a reported £86m per season.

Read more: Al-Ittihad Kante get enough as N’Golo signs for Saudi champions

Al-Nassr

Marcelo Brozovic

Marcelo Brozovic, 30, decided to join Ronaldo at Al-Nassr for a reported fee of £15m, with the Croatian midfielder signing a three-year contract with the nine-time Saudi Pro League winners.

The 87-cap international was a key figure at Inter Milan for many years and started in the Nerazzurri’s recent Champions League final defeat to Manchester City.

Seko Fofana

All-action midfielder Seko Fofana, 28, rejected advances from Premier League clubs to join Al-Nassr on a three-year deal for a reported fee of £21.5m.

The former Manchester City youngster captained Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, which saw them qualify for the Champions League.

Alex Telles

Left-back Alex Telles brought an end to his mixed spell at Manchester United by swapping Old Trafford for Al-Awwal Park.

The 12-cap Brazil international spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Sevilla, where he helped the LaLiga side win a record seventh Europa League title.

SOURCE: africanews.com