The Saudi Pro League continues to attract big-name players even though the lavish levels of spending seen a year ago have died down.
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia's top league after leaving Manchester United in late 2022, the division's top teams, bankrolled by the country's Public Investment Fund, have sought to bring in some of the most famous footballers in the world.
While some of the inordinate sums of money spent in 2023 have not really been replicated this year, plenty of stars have been linked with transfers to the Pro League. What's more, with the competition's transfer window open well beyond August, there is a good chance of several major deals being pushed through even after Premier League clubs have largely finished their business.
The Sporting News looks at the key dates for the Saudi Pro League transfer window in 2024, and who might still make the move this year.
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When does the Saudi Pro League transfer window close in 2024?
According to the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS), the latest transfer window for the Saudi Pro League opened on July 17, 2024, and it will close on October 6, 2024. That would mean clubs from Saudi Arabia have the chance to sign players for over a month after the Premier League's deadline day. This can create complications for Saudi clubs hoping to sign big-name players: European teams whose own transfer windows have shut are less likely to sell their star names if they cannot sign replacements.
However, it has also been reported that the Saudi transfer window will in fact close earlier than initially publicised, on Monday, September 2. This would bring it more in line with major European leagues.
Who are the big names who could move to Saudi Arabia?
Speculating on possible moves to Saudi Arabia is obviously difficult, but there are a handful of transfers that seem likely to go through in the coming weeks.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been tipped to move to the Pro League after an initial lack of Premier League suitors. Al Ahli are said to have been negotiating a possible deal, although Sky Sports reported on August 27 that Chelsea were ready to make a late move for the England striker.
Kieran Trippier was linked with a Saudi transfer in January and interest in the England full-back could increase given he has lost his starting spot at Newcastle United, although manager Eddie Howe said he wants to keep the player.
Joao Cancelo is heading to the Pro League after a deal could not be agreed between Manchester City and Barcelona, where he spent last season on loan. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen could be tempted by the wages on offer if his preferred move to Chelsea does not come to pass.
How much money have Saudi clubs spent in 2024?
After an initial influx of famous talent in late 2022 and 2023 for a sum exceeding €700 million ($780m), Saudi spending has been a little less extravagant in 2024.
As of August 26, Al Ittihad had spent the most money in this transfer window among Saudi Pro League clubs, splashing out just under €97m ($108m), most of it on signing Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa.
Yet the total league spending in that time, according to Transfermarkt, only comes to around €196m ($219m). By contrast, Premier League clubs had spent approximately €1.98 billion ($2.2 billion) in this window, with Chelsea alone splashing out more than all Saudi Pro League clubs combined.