The Saudi Pro League is dominating the 2023 summer transfer window with rumors that top footballers moved to Saudi Arabia. Not happy with only signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi chiefs have dramatically stepped up their attempts to convince some of the world’s best players to follow CR7’s example. And since then it has been an exodus as many notable European stars flocked to the Promised Land.
Since 2022 it is difficult to say that any player is left out without receiving a Saudi transfer offer or at least thinking of moving there due to huge salary prospects, and every fan eagerly waits at the ends of their seats to see which European jewel is Saudi’s next target. before that, here are the top ten Saudi Pro League transfer rumors.
Here are the Top 10 Saudi Pro League Transfer Rumors
PAUL POGBA: JUVENTUS TO AL-AHLI
Pogba was reportedly offered a three-year contract worth €100m ($111m) plus bonuses by Al-Ahli which is just over £85 million, a truly staggering amount. He also recently made a trip to Saudi Arabia, sparking rumors that he could make the move, but he is said to have been there for personal reasons.
Pogba has endured a horrific time since returning to Juventus last summer. Injuries plagued his season, limiting him to just six Serie A appearances totaling 108 minutes.
On the other hand, Juventus are open to selling the 30-year-old because of his injury issues and big salary. But the dedicated Frenchman wants to remain at Juventus and make a play to fight for his place under Max Allegri.
ERIC DIER: TOTTENHAM TO AL-NASSR
Some eyebrows were raised due to Eric Dier’s absence from the bench for Tottenham Hotspur in their week 1 draw at Brentford, despite featuring heavily in all of Spurs’ preseason games. Which seemed rather curious at that time.
But, According to some reports, Al-Nassr was said to have been ‘pressing interest’ in Dier who of course would be another statement signing if pursued. Dier has 49 England caps and 270 Premier League appearances to his name. The 29-year-old will look to regain his form with regular football for Al-Nassr, and he should prove to be a quality acquisition for the Saudi outfit.
Whether Dier would be willing to leave Tottenham for Saudi Arabia is another question altogether. Recent reports have confirmed that Dier is staying at Tottenham, at least for now. However, he faces a monstrous uphill battle to recapture his senior position at the club.
MOHD SALAH- LIVERPOOL TO AL-ITTIHAD
The Saudi transfer window closed on 7th September 2023, A report confirmed Saudi Pro League Giants making a final strike to pull in Liverpool striker Mohd Salah. As the leading source of goals over the past five seasons since his move from AS Roma, Salah is arguably the most important player in Jurgen Klopp‘s squad. The club attempted to sign the Egyptian with a mammoth 150m euros offer.
But despite their attempts at luring in Liverpool for the move, Al-Ittihad received a straight no from the Liverpool side as no sensible club would want to lose their most valuable player with literally no time to replace him. There remains serious interest in bringing Salah to the Saudi Pro League eventually, though, with clubs owned by the royal family’s Public Investment Fund likely to return in the future.
Also Read: Saudi Pro League Transfers: Top 10 Most Expensive Transfers 2023-24 Season
RODRIGO DE PAUL- ATLETICO MADRID TO AL-AHLI
Despite the Saudi pro league 2023-24 transfer market swiftly coming to a conclusion for the summer of 2023-2024 season, Atletico Madrid successfully fought to keep one of their key players.
Just a few days before the deadline Fabrizio Romano claimed that talks between Atletico and Al-Ahli were moving forward to close the deal on Rodrigo de Paul who was reportedly offered 28m euros to confirm the move. But the former Udinese midfielder turned down the offer and wants to remain at Atletico Madrid.
ALISSON BECKER- LIVERPOOL TO AL- NASSR
Spicy rumors surfaced during the last week of the Saudi pro league summer transfer window claiming that Al-Nassr, the club that has Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane among its squad, had made an approach for Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper.
But reports from sources close to Alisson confirmed that the Liverpool goalkeeper has not been the subject of an approach from Saudi Arabia.
While The Mirror reported on Al-Nassr’s interest, Jurgen Klopp isn’t entertaining the idea. He doesn’t want to lose his goalkeeper with the season already underway, so all offers were duly rejected.
GABRIEL- ARSENAL TO AL-ITTIHAD
The Mirror reports that Arsenal’s Gabriel was of interest to clubs in Saudi Arabia after being left out of the Gunners’ squad for their opening-day win over Nottingham Forest. But despite the rumors Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted that Gabriel Magalhães was benched for tactical reasons for the second Premier League match in a row.
Reports linking Gabriel with a move to the Saudi Pro League emerged with almost two weeks left for the summer transfer window to end. With Al-Ittihad putting him on their ‘list of defender targets’, according to CBS Sports’ James Benge. The 25-year-old is ‘not for sale’, according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazilian center-back had started 73 consecutive league matches before the new campaign got underway but has been a second-half substitute in their wins over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
THIAGO ALCANTRA- LIVERPOOL TO AL-AHLI
Reports suggest that Saudi Arabian football giants AL-Ahli are continuing with their raids on Liverpool’s midfielder and have reportedly made a €12million (£10.4m) transfer offer for Thiago.
Jurgen Klopp’s team has witnessed significant changes, with the exits of Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, and the entry of just two newcomers, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, one could argue that Liverpool is in the middle of a midfield makeover.
Both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson opted to jump ship, but we get the sense Thiago won’t. He’s reportedly rejected one offer from Saudi Arabia already this summer and it doesn’t appear that this one will tempt him, either. Liverpool would get around £10m if it went through.
WILLIAN-FULHAM TO AL-SHABAB
Willian was approached by Al Shabab over a one-year deal that would double his wages to over £200,000-a-week and he was willing to make the move. However reports suggest otherwise, the Brazilian last month signed a new contract with Fulham, with a club option to extend for a further year, after turning down the chance to join Nottingham Forest. Willian is fully focused on the season ahead and helping Fulham in the Premier League
KYLLIAN MBAPPE- PSG TO AL-HILAL
The biggest transfer story of the summer caused a huge uproar sending football fans and the general public to their calculators to convert the million-dollar euros offered to Kylian into rupees. PSG wanted to sell Kylian Mbappé this summer, with his contract expiring next year. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal then approached them with a world-record offer of around £240m.
but reports state that Frenchman Kylian Mbappe refused to open talks with Al-Hilal, Mbappe would have obviously topped the lot and that was recognised by Al-Hilal’s world-record £260 million bid. That was quickly accepted by PSG, with the proposed fee set to break the record the Ligue 1 club set when signing Neymar in 2017.
ALVARO MORATA- ATLETICO MADRID TO AL HILAL
Al Hilal was in negotiations with Atletico Madrid over a move that could see Alvaro Morata become one of the world’s highest-paid players, according to reports. Al Hilal had ‘opened discussions’ with the La Liga side over a deal worth £20 million.
However, Morata is set to stay at Atletico, having recently signed a new contract at the club, The 30-year-old loves the club and does not plan to leave any time soon.
FAQ’S
Q.1 What are the recent transfer rumors in the Saudi Pro League?
A: Mohd Salah and Kylian Mbappe both have rejected the proposal to move to Saudi.
Q.2 Will Mohd Salah join Al Ittihad in Saudi Pro League?
A: No. Liverpool’s side already rejected the proposal regarding Mohd Salah’s move to the Saudi Pro League.
Q.3 Will Kylian Mbappe join Saudi Pro League?
A: The PSG star received a call-up from Real Madrid this summer. As of now, He’s no longer interested in the Saudi League.