Major Saudi market movements in the 2024 summer window

This year’s Saudi football transfer window is more subdued compared to last year when it shocked the world by signing several stars like Neymar, Mané, Benzema, and others. However, it’s still moving significant money, attracting top-level players to the country.

Join us as we review the major moves in the Saudi market during this window.

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“The Big Five”

“The Big Five” includes Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, who receive official support, and Al-Ettifaq, which has family ties to the fund’s management but hasn’t made major signings this season. As a result, the other teams in the Saudi Pro League struggle to compete, as their investment is significantly lower.

Last season, the national championship was dominated by the unbeaten champions, Al-Hilal, followed by Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli. Al-Taawoun, not part of “The Big Five,” finished fourth, ahead of Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq.

This season, a team outside the traditional powerhouses that promises to compete on equal terms with the big clubs is Al-Qadsiah. Promoted this year to the top flight after winning the second division, they are backed by a lavish sponsorship from Aramco, the world’s largest oil company.

Al-Qadsiah

Al-Qadsiah has made the most high-profile signings.

Starting in goal, they signed Casteels, Belgium’s first-choice goalkeeper in the Euros, on a free transfer after his contract with Wolfsburg ended.

In defense, they secured Nacho Fernández, a Champions League winner with Real Madrid and a starter in the final, also on a free transfer.

Another defensive addition is Gastón Álvarez, brought in from Getafe for €12 million.

Midfielder Nahitan Nández joined on a free after his contract with Cagliari expired.

The most expensive signing was midfielder Ezequiel Fernández. Al-Qadsiah paid his release clause from Boca Juniors, amounting to around $20 million (€18.7 million).

For the attack, they signed Julián Quiñones from América (Mexico) for €13.8 million.

Notable additions also include Aubameyang and Dybala. The Gabonese forward left European football for the first time in his career after a stellar season with Marseille, scoring 29 goals. He was signed for €9 million.

Lastly, Paulo Dybala is close to signing a three-year deal with the Saudi club, where he’ll earn €25 million per season. The 30-year-old is set to reunite with Roma, who will decide whether to accept a payment of around €3 million for the transfer.

Al-Hilal

The reigning Saudi champions, Al-Hilal, managed by Jorge Jesus, who set the world record for consecutive wins last season, haven’t made any significant signings but saw the departure of Michael, who left on a free transfer to Flamengo.

Cruzeiro confirmed the purchase of Matheus Pereira for €5 million. The midfielder had been on loan at the club since last year.

Photo: ABDULLAH MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images

Al-Nassr

Al-Nassr, last season’s Saudi runners-up, bought goalkeeper Bento from Athletico-PR for €18 million.

Goalkeeper Ospina left the club on a free transfer and will now play for Atlético Nacional.

Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad, who had a disappointing season, made the most expensive signing of the transfer window.

Right-winger Moussa Diaby was signed for €60 million from Aston Villa. This makes him the second most expensive signing in Saudi Arabia, behind only Neymar, who was sold for €90 million.

Midfielder Aouar joined from Roma for €12 million.

Finally, goalkeeper Rajković was signed for €8 million from Mallorca.

Al-Ahly

Al-Ahly invested €9 million in Alexsander, a young midfielder from Fluminense.

Left-winger Saint-Maximin was loaned to Fenerbahçe for €8 million.

Al-Shabab

Al-Shabab signed experienced midfielder Bonaventura from Fiorentina on a free transfer.

Ivan Rakitić left the club on a free transfer and joined Hajduk Split in Croatia.

 

Written by Henry Miller.