Saudi Arabia transfers: Every move, wage and silly rumour from 2024 summer window
The 2023 summer transfer window will be hard to beat after Saudi Arabia went mad. Regardless, it is worth keeping up to date with the Saudi Pro League’s transfer activity this summer. Here is every confirmed deal, rumour and snub there is to know.
Salary and contract information were being thrown around for fun last summer but that fun stuff is more secretive this time around, so wages are our best guesses from reading reports and certain websites…
Saudi Pro League done deals
Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa to Al Ittihad, £51.9m) – five-year contract worth £12.8m a year (£1,072,107 a month; £247,409 a week)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille to Al Qadsiah, £7.5m) – two-year contract worth £8.5m a year (£708,331 a month; £163,461 a week)
Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid to Al Qadsiah, free) – two-year contract worth £8.4m a year (£703,333 a month; £162,307 a week)
Houssem Aouar (Roma to Al Ittihad, £10.1m) – four-year contract worth £5.1m a year (£428,562 a month; £98,899 a week)
Bento (Athletico Paranaense to Al Nassr, £12.6m) – three-year contract worth £5.1m a year (£428,562 a month; £98,899 a week)
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi (Al Ettifaq to Al Ittihad, £6.2m) – three-year contract worth £487k a year (£40,615 a month, £9,372 a week)
Ezequiel Fernandez (Boca Juniors to Al Qadsiah, £15.7m) – five-year contract, unknown salary
Carlos Jimenez (Levante to Al Qadsiah, undisclosed), five-year contract, unknown salary
Gaston Alvarez (Getafe to Al Qadsiah, £10.2m) – four-year contract, unknown salary
Julian Quinones (America to Al Qadsiah, £11.6m) – four-year contract, unknown salary
Predrag Rajkovic (Mallorca to Al Ittihad, £9.4m) – four-year contract, unknown salary
Alexsander (Fluminese to Al Ahli, £7.6m) – three-year contract, unknown salary
Saad Al-Mousa (Al Ettifaq to Al Ittihad, £5.9m) – three-year contract, unknown salary
Karlo Muhar (CFR Cluj to Al Orobah, £1.27m) – two-year contract, unknown salary
William Troost-Ekong (PAOK to Al Kholood, £1m) – two-year contract, unknown salary
Nahitan Nandez (Cagliari to Al Qadsiah, free) – three-year contract, unknown salary
Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg to Al Qadsiah, free) – three-year contract, unknown salary
Marek Rodak (Fulham to Al Ettifaq, free) – three-year contract, unknown salary
Romarinho (Al Ittihad to Al Suqoor, free) – two-year contract, unknown salary
Damion Lowe (Philadelphia Union to Al Okhdood, undisclosed) – two-year contract, unknown salary
Ahmed Hegazy (Al Ittihad to Al Suqoor, free) – two-year contract, unknown salary
Kevin N’Doram (FC Metz to Al Kholood, free) – two-year contract, unknown salary
Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina to Al Shabab, free) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Flavio (Trabzonspor to Al Taawoun, free) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Gaetan Coucke (Mechelen to Al Orobah, free) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Emmanuel Boateng (Rio Ave to Al Orobah, free) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Jean-Michael Seri (Hull City to Al Kholood, free) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Myziane Maolida (Hertha Berlin to Al Kholood, undisclosed) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Aliou Dieng (El Ahly to Al Kholood, loan) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Mehdi Abeid (Trabzonspor to Al Raed, free) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Jackson Muleka (Besiktas to Al Kholood, loan) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Alex Collado (Real Betis to Al Kholood, loan) – one-year contract, unknown salary
Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Burnley to Al Orobah, undisclosed) – unknown contract length, unknown salary
Wesley Hoedt (Watford to Al Shabab, undisclosed) – unknown contract length, unknown salary
Norbert Gyomber (Salernitana to Al Kholood, free) – unknown contract length, unknown salary
Milan Borjan (Red Star to Al Riyadh, free) – unknown contract length, unknown salary
Players who have left Saudi Arabia
Allan Saint-Maximin – Al Ahly to Fenerbahce (£6.7m loan fee)
Matheus Pereira – Al Hilal to Cruzeiro (£4.2m)
Woo-young Jung – Al Khaleej to Ulsan Hyundai (£337k)
Ivan Rakitic – Al Shabab to Hajduk Split (free)
David Ospina – Al Nassr to Atletico Nacional (free)
Joel Robles – Al Qadsiah to Estoril Praia (free)
Anthony Nwakaeme – Al Fayha to Trabzonspor (free)
Ahmed Yasin – Al Kholood to Orebro SK (free)
Andrei Burca – Al Okhdood to FC Baniyas (free)
Beni Nkololo – Al Orobah to CFR Cluj (free)
Munir Mohamedi – Al Wehda to RS Berkane (free)
Marcao – Al Ahli to Kocaelispor (loan)
Berat Ozdemir – Al Ettifaq to Basaksehir (loan)
Florin Tanase – Al Okhdood to FCSB (free)
Didier Ndong – Al Riyadh to Esteghlal (free)
Kevin Rodrigues – Al Qadsiah to Kasimpasa (free)
Ivo Rodrigues – Al Khaleej to Arouca (free)
Michael – Al Hilal to Flamengo (free)
Robin Quaison – released by Al Ettifaq
Paulo Victor – released by Al Ettifaq
Vladimir Stojkovic – released by Al Fayha
Cristian Tello – released by Al Fateh
Jacob Rinne – released by Al Fateh
Mariano Vazquez – released by Al Kholood
Roberto Dias – released by Al Kholood
Rafael Martins – released by Al Kholood
Solomon Kvirkvelia – released by Al Okhdood
Rubin Hebaj – released by Al Orobah
Luciano Vietto – released by Al Qadsiah
Alvaro Gonzalez – released by Al Qadsiah
Mohammed Al-Saiari – released by Al Qadsiah
Alexander Hack – released by Al Qadsiah
Andre Gray – released by Al Riyadh
Faycal Fajr – released by Al Wehda
Moustapha Zeghba – released by Damac FC
Saudi-linked players who moved elsewhere
Alvaro Morata (to AC Milan) – wanted by Al Qadsiah
Shola Shoretire (to PAOK) – wanted by unnamed clubs
Connor Goldson (to Aris Limassol) – wanted by unnamed clubs
Ilkay Gundogan (to Manchester City) – wanted by unnamed clubs
Stefan Savic (to Trabzonspor) – wanted by unnamed clubs
Albert Gudmondsson (to Fiorentina) – wanted by Al Ahly
Jan Oliveras (to Dinamo Zagreb) – wanted by Al Ittihad
Vitor Roque (to Real Betis) – wanted by unnamed clubs
David Garcia (to Al Rayyan) – wanted by Al Shabab
Aissa Mandi (to Lille) – wanted by Al Kholood
Arthur Theate (to Eintracht Frankfurt) – wanted by Al Ittihad
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Premier League players linked with Saudi Arabia
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Al Ahly loaned out Allan Saint-Maximin and are reportedly looking at Jesus or Brazil team-mate Richarlison, currently at Tottenham, as a replacement.
Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
These links refuse to go away. Partey is surely the only first-team player Arteta actually wants a Saudi Arabian club to come in for.
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
This would be a real shame. Toney has talked up joining a bigger club, even namedropping Real Madrid at one point. Surely he won’t move to the Middle East with his tail between his legs?
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea)
Chelsea still have some clearing up to do after a big summer of departures last year and will hope the filthy-rich Saudis rescue them again by signing Kepa – who is still the most expensive goalkeeper ever.
Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
“Saudi Arabia wouldn’t stop me. The level will only rise there. To a much higher level than many people think. More and more footballers will tend to play there. All the major European top clubs know that Saudi Arabia is coming.”
Not very subtle from Big Rom, who will be doing Chelsea a favour by moving to the Middle East. What a disastrous signing this has been. Probably the worst in Premier League history. Definitely Chelsea’s worst in recent history. And there have been a lot of them.
Alisson (Liverpool)
There were a few murmurs at the end of the season and Alisson recently confirmed he rejected a switch this summer.
“Yes, they had interest,” he said. “I want to honour my contract and finish my contract here or make a new one. I am really happy here at Liverpool. My family is happy.”
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
No Saudi offer has come for Salah. They must be waiting to get him on a free transfer next summer.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
De Bruyne has talked up a move to the Middle East so is bang up for it. Not yet, though. He is in the same boat as Salah being available on a free in 2025.
Ederson (Manchester City)
Al Ittihad failed with a 30 million euro bid for Ederson with Man City asking for 20 million more. The signing of Predrag Rajkovic from Mallorca was a pretty big sign that the best ball-playing goalkeeper in the world is staying and that has now been confirmed by Pep Guardiola.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
A transfer to Al Hilal is imminent. Man City will be happy to see the back of him after Barcelona were put off by his reported attitude problems. Reports claim the full-back will earn £59m across three years in Saudi Arabia.
Antony (Manchester United)
A loan back to Brazil has been rumoured but a permanent move to Saudi Arabia would be perfect for Man Utd.
Casemiro (Manchester United)
Rumours were rife for months but have died down. Maybe Erik ten Hag wants to keep Casemiro. Sir Jim Ratcliffe doesn’t though. He wants that contract as far away from Old Trafford as possible.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Surely this will happen. It will feel wrong if it doesn’t. Unless Martial moves to Turkey.
Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
Newcastle were desperate to raise funds in June and there was talk of injury-prone striker Wilson moving to the Middle East. That feels unlikely now. The fact he is injured *again* makes an exit all the more unlikely.
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
The links are strong with this one but Eddie Howe loves Trippier. One to watch, for sure.
Miguel Almiron (Newcastle United)
A move collapsed in January and Newcastle fans are eager to see their club cash in on Almiron. It looks unlucky at this stage with the Paraguayan eager to stay in England.
Richarlison (Tottenham)
Reportedly wanted by Al Ahly, Richarlison said in May that he is not leaving the Premier League this summer. He also recently confirmed he has received an offer to play in Saudi: “There has been an offer [from Saudi] but my dream of playing for the Brazilian Seleção and in the Premier League [for Spurs] speaks louder. The money is big but my dreams are bigger.”
Kurt Zouma (West Ham)
We have no idea where Zouma is and what he is doing. Hopefully there are no cats involved where ever he is.
Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
Nobody’s future is more up in the air than Paqueta’s. There is a potential FA ban coming, with West Ham keeping their options open. Man City are keen but reluctant due to the probe. A move to Brazil could yet happen. And there is interest from Saudi Arabia. Honestly, f**k knows…
Daniel Podence (Wolves)
Expected to leave Molineux this summer, Podence is reportedly keen on moving to the SPL after interest from Al Ettifaq last year.
Serie A players linked with Saudi Arabia
Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
Al Hilal are lurking, though as time passes, it looks increasingly likely that Leao will stay in Milan.
Divock Origi (AC Milan)
The Liverpool cult hero is expected to leave Milan this summer and if he doesn’t end up in Turkey, we will be disgusted.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
Lookman’s incredible Europa League final showing to deny Bayer Leverkusen an unprecedented invincible season has put him up in everyone’s estimations. The former Fulham and Leicester loanee is wanted by many, including a few clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Benjamin Pavard (Inter)
French full-back Pavard is not interested in a move to Saudi Arabia after talks between clubs and his agent.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
“There’s no chance for a move to Saudi Pro League as we’ve agreed on new deal with Inter.” That is what Martinez’s agent had to say earlier this summer.
Stefan de Vrij (Inter)
De Vrij is happy at Inter and only has a year left on his contract. A big proposal could see the Italian champions sell.
Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny was linked with a return to Arsenal with Mikel Arteta chasing a homegrown No.2. That is not going to happen and a move to the Saudi Pro League is very realistic with the Pole now a free agent.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Saudi clubs became very keen on Osimhen when they tried and failed to sign Kylian Mbappe last summer.
Interest has accelerated this week with Napoli desperately looking to sell before the transfer deadline. Chelsea are still lurking but if Osimhen decides he is willing to play in the Middle East, expect this transfer to happen.
Paulo Dybala (Roma)
Dybala has snubbed Al Qadsiah to stay in Italy.
“I have considered my family, my wife, the city, the team, the national team… people talk about money but I considered many factors,” he said. “I’m 30, I’ve considered all factors and I’m very happy to stay.”
Nemanja Radonjic (Torino)
Fabrizio Romano says there is a chance Radonjic returns to Crvena Zvezda in his native Serbia, but clubs from Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain and Turkey are lurking.
La Liga players linked with Saudi Arabia
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Man Utd and now Aston Villa, it has been reported that Barcelona have a whopping 65 million euro bid on the table from a Saudi club. *eyes emoji*
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Polish legend Lewandowski reportedly turned down a mouth-watering £89m contract in March. Blimey.
Ez Abde (Real Betis)
Has publicly dismissed interest from Saudi Arabia, explaining his desire to win trophies with Betis.
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Nabil Fekir (Real Betis)
Will Fekir reunite with Houssem Aouar at Al Ittihad? What could have been for both…
Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
There have been reports of a huge Al Ittihad offer but big Tony is not interested in leaving Madrid.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
This would be mental but thankfully Vini J has turned down a humungous offer from the Saudi Pro League. Those filthy-rice Saudis are expected to come back in for the Ballon d’Or contender after their first attempt was rejected.
Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla)
The Serbian defender is reportedly in talks to join Al Shabab.
Bundesliga players linked with Saudi Arabia
Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
The big centre-back only wants Bayern Munich. Not the Premier League or Saudi Pro League.
Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen)
Leverkusen reportedly deem Tapsoba untouchable. Money talks, though…
Benjamin Sesko (Leipzig)
Could have joined Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United this summer but decided his development should continue in Germany.
In doing so, the Slovenian also rejected a €30m net salary from the Saudi Pro League.
Ligue Un players linked with Saudi Arabia
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
The former Arsenal No. 9 reportedly rejected a €30m contract to stay at Lyon, who he will captain in the Europa League next season.
Anthony Lopes (Lyon)
There has been interest for months but Lopes is still a Lyon player. Lucas Perri is expected to be the French club’s first-choice ‘keeper next season.
Eredivisie players linked with Saudi Arabia
Hirving Lozano (PSV)
There is interest there but it looks like Lozano is holding out for MLS expansion team San Diego FC
Scottish Premiership players linked with Saudi Arabia
James Tavernier (Rangers)
This rumour crops up every transfer window. ‘Steven Gerrard to be reunited with Rangers favourite’ is an easy line, isn’t it?
2nd Bundesliga players linked with Saudi Arabia
Youssef Amyn (Eintracht Braunschweig)
The left-winger is reportedly wanted by Al Wehda.
Managers linked with Saudi Arabia
Stefano Pioli
After being sacked by AC Milan, Pioli is set to join Al Ittihad on a three-year contract.
Jose Mourinho
“Becoming coach of a Saudi Pro League club? If you ask me in the future… never say never. I had an important proposal but I said no as I was committed to AS Roma,” Mourinho said in March.
Jose will eventually move to Saudi Arabia. For now, the Special One is at Fenerbahce. A true match made in heaven.
Gennaro Gattuso
An approach in May did not materialise into an agreement. Gattuso is now managing Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic at Hajduk Split.
👉 More: Premier League five-year net spend table | Top goalscorers of 2024 | Every completed PL transfer this summer
