Well, it felt like yesterday that the Saudi League was running the 2023 Summer Transfer Window, spending copious amounts on transfer fees and wages to bring in the likes of Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, N’Golo Kante, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Fabinho, Riyad Mahrez, Franck Kessie, Roberto Firmino, and many more to a league that already had Cristiano Ronaldo and many others. Well, we’re now at the next summer, watching the next season of this mess. While it’s not been as big of a fuss as it was last year, there’s still much to talk about when it’s come to Saudi Arabia’s dealings. Let’s look at it.
The big story of this summer so far has been that of newly promoted Saudi side Al-Qadsiah. Since promotion, they’ve already confirmed a star-studded cast to join them, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Koen Casteels, Nacho Fernandez, Nahitan Nandez, and Julian Quinones. They join an already strong team that features former Al-Hilal star and Saudi League stalwart Andre Carrillo, Bundesliga veteran CB Alexander Hack, and former Atleti, Leeds, Everton, and Betis keeper Joel Robles. Add all that to the fact that their transfer business is still likely unfinished, and they are serious contenders for a top 5 finish in their first Saudi League season.
We’ve also seen some signings from the Saudi League this season so far. The most prolific of the signings is Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby to Al Ittihad, moving there after a disappointing one-season spell in the Premier League, for around 50 million euros, quite a fee. Other signings include longtime Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, Brazil third-choice keeper Bento, and former Canadian PL star Ahmed Al-Ghamdi.
One of the most interesting parts of this transfer window has been the departures. After a year in the Middle East, former Nice and Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin has joined Jose Mourinho’s budding Fenerbahce project in Turkiye, on a loan, and presumably an option to buy as well. Also, after 6 months in Saudi Arabia, Ivan Rakitic has decided to up sticks and move back to his native Croatia, joining Ivan Perisic and Gennaro Gattuso at Hajduk Split. We’ve also seen Matheus Pereira, who joined the league in 2021 after an impressive season with relegated West Brom, move back to his home country in Brazil with Cruzeiro. David Ospina, goalkeeper for Al Nassr, moved to Atlético Nacional in Colombia.
We’ve also seen a lot of big rumours come from the Saudi League this year so far. Currently, Al Ittihad and Man City are in transfer talks circulating Ederson, for a fee between 30 and 50 million euros, surprising savvy from the Saudis, considering their 90m bid for Neymar just as PSG were about to let him leave on a free to Barcelona last summer. Other players linked have included Kevin de Bruyne, Casemiro, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Thomas Partey, Mo Salah, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ilkay Gundogan, Alexandre Lacazette, and others.
All in all, it looks like Saudi Arabia are up to their usual nonsense again this year, and their business is just beginning. Expect some bombshell signings during the month of August, and perhaps even some sales, but for now, I’m Jim James, until next time.