The Saudi Professional League – also referred to as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for sponsorship causes – dominated the 2023 summer season switch window with many high-profile gamers leaving Europe in favour of a transfer to the quickly rising division.
Cristiano Ronaldo began the pattern, in fact, taking an unlimited contract initially of the yr to play for Al-Nassr.
And, now, with the 2024 summer season switch window edging nearer, Soccer FanCast takes you thru the most recent information and switch rumours…
Why gamers moved to the Saudi Professional League
Basically, it got here all the way down to funding from the Saudi Arabian Public Funding Fund, or PIF. You may have heard lots about it when PIF bought Newcastle United, in fact.
The identical fund bought majority stakes in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad. The previous two are the most important golf equipment in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The latter two are the most important in Jeddah, the nation’s second-largest metropolis. All 4 now have unimaginable wealth behind them and want to make waves.
Associated
Newest Saudi Professional League video games, outcomes, league standings and high scorers
FFC brings you the most recent of the motion from the Saudi Professional League, because the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar do battle.
Saudi Professional League 2024 summer season switch window dates
The Saudi Professional League’s summer season switch window is about to open on July 1, 2024, which close to sufficient aligns with the remainder of Europe’s high leagues.
The window will stay open till September 7, 2024, while the opposite main divisions in Europe will slam their doorways shut on 1st.
2024 summer season switch window: Open & shut dates |
||
---|---|---|
Competitors |
Window Opens |
Window Closes |
Saudi Professional League |
1 July 2024 |
7 September 2024 |
Premier League |
14 June 2024 |
1 September 2024 |
EFL |
10 June 2024 |
1 September 2024 |
La Liga |
1 July 2024 |
1 September 2024 |
Serie A |
1 July 2024 |
1 September 2024 |
Bundesliga |
1 July 2024 |
1 September 2024 |
Ligue 1 |
10 June 2024 |
1 September 2024 |
Gamers who joined the Saudi Professional League
A gradual stream of gamers have adopted in Ronaldo’s footsteps by ditching European soccer for a go on the Saudi Professional League and that pattern is predicted to proceed this month.
The RSL outlaid an eye-watering £701.3m on switch charges final summer season, which does not account for the colossal wages on high of that.
So who determined to make the transfer? This is a rundown of the 20 most costly signings:
RSL’s most costly summer season signings (2023) |
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---|---|---|---|---|
# |
Participant |
Left |
Joined |
Price |
1 |
Neymar |
Paris Saint-Germain |
Al-Hilal |
£78.3m |
2 |
Malcom |
Zenit St. Petersburg |
Al-Hilal |
£52.2m |
3 |
Otávio |
Porto |
Al-Nassr |
£52.2m |
4 |
Rúben Neves |
Wolves |
Al-Hilal |
£47.8m |
5 |
Aleksandar Mitrović |
Fulham |
Al-Hilal |
£45.7m |
6 |
Fabinho |
Liverpool |
Al-Ittihad |
£40.6m |
7 |
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic |
Lazio |
Al-Hilal |
£34.7m |
8 |
Riyad Mahrez |
Manchester Metropolis |
Al-Ahli |
£30.4m |
9 |
Sadio Mané |
Bayern Munich |
Al-Ahli |
£26m |
10 |
Gabri Veiga |
Celta Vigo |
Al-Ahli |
£26m |
11 |
Roger Ibañez |
AS Roma |
Al-Ahli |
£26m |
12 |
Jota |
Celtic |
Al-Ittihad |
£25.3m |
13 |
Aymeric Laporte |
Manchester Metropolis |
Al-Nassr |
£23.9m |
14 |
Allan Saint-Germain |
Newcastle United |
Al-Ahli |
£23.6m |
15 |
Seko Fofana |
Lens |
Al-Nassr |
£21.7m |
16 |
Kalidou Koulibaly |
Chelsea |
Al-Hilal |
£20m |
17 |
Renan Lodi |
Marseille |
Al-Hilal |
£19.7m |
18 |
Luiz Felipe |
Actual Betis |
Al-Ittihad |
£19.1m |
19 |
Bono |
Sevilla |
Al-Hilal |
£18.2m |
20 |
Edouard Mendy |
Chelsea |
Al-Ahli |
£16m |
Newest Saudi Professional League switch rumours
Within the winter switch window, issues have been quite quiet compared to the summer season, with golf equipment placing their wallets away to recuperate from what was a psychological 2023 for transfers.
Nevertheless, with the months flying by, there are a number of rumours which have been circling round already forward of the summer season…
Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea to Al-Ittihad
In response to Rudy Galetti (as per Tribal Soccer), Al-Ittihad have already opened talks over the potential of signing Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in the summertime.
Al-Ittihad and different groups from the Center East have shortlisted the Belgian as a “important goal”, which will not come as a problem for the Blues as they’ve completed simply advantageous with out him this season.
Idrissa Gueye
Everton to Saudi Professional League
In response to Soccer Insider, Saudi Professional League golf equipment are able to pounce to signal Idrissa Gueye this summer season.
In response to reviews, Gueye’s contract with the Toffees is about to run out this summer season, and Saudi Professional League groups are ‘able to method’ him. The Senegalese participant can be fascinated with relocating to the Center East.
For Gueye, becoming a member of a Saudi Arabian group is reportedly seen as “a pretty proposition.”
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool to Saudi Professional League
Jose Enrique has claimed (as per Grosvenor Sports activities) that Mohamed Salah will depart Liverpool this summer season if the chance to maneuver to the Saudi Professional League presents itself.
He said:
“If the precise provide comes then I believe Salah will depart as a result of I believe he was truly attempting to depart final summer season. They have been supplied one thing like £200 million for him final summer season and that was an actual provide!
“While you get a suggestion like that, often it means there may be already an settlement between the participant and the membership. I believe Salah had already agreed to go and I imagine that he’ll lastly go to Saudi Arabia this summer season.
“Jurgen Klopp is leaving so it’s the good time for Salah to go. There’s a new cycle occurring at Liverpool and plenty of modifications, so it’s good for him. This may seemingly be the ultimate massive contract of his profession, so I believe he’ll depart for Saudi Arabia.”
This comes after a string of very sub-par performances from the Egyptian.