The $957 million spent by Saudi Pro League clubs last summer reflected the ambition of a division intent on becoming one of the best in world soccer. That level of spending placed the Saudi Arabian top flight below only the Premier League ($1.4 billion) for money splurged on transfers and had the potential to reshape the sport’s landscape.
Only six months on, though, the Saudi Pro League bubble is losing air. It might not have popped, but with so many of the league’s star players reportedly unhappy and keen on a move back to Europe questions are being asked of its long-term plan. Has the Saudi Pro League already peaked?
Jordan Henderson’s decision to depart Al-Ettifaq is notable. The former Liverpool captain was so unsettled at the club that he was willing to forego the wages he was owed from the first half of the Saudi season in order to secure a move to Ajax. Henderson isn’t the only one seeking a Saudi Pro League exit either.
Karim Benzema is another player reportedly exploring his options. The former Ballon d’Or winner is believed to be unhappy with his situation at All-Ittihad and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Benzema could return to one of his former clubs – Lyon or Real Madrid.
Ruben Neves has been linked with a return to the Premier League, although the Portuguese midfielder was only believed to be a loan target for Newcastle United. Still only 26 years old, many are of the opinion that Neves should still be playing at the top level of European soccer. Even if he doesn’t move this month, there will be more links in the summer.
Aymeric Laporte has provided an insight into the thinking of many star players who made the with to the Saudi Pro League from Europe last summer, highlighting the difference in the day-to-day routine. “They haven’t made it easy for us,” said the former Manchester City defender in a candid interview.
“In fact, there are many players that are dissatisfied. They do look after us but not enough for my liking. That is to say, in Europe they pay you a good salary, but they take better care of you. I speak from my own experience and I don’t know what the experience of others is like. For my part, what I have seen is that they try to bring you in, but then there is the day-to-day life and that is different.”
Of course, the unprecedented financial backing behind the Saudi Pro League will continue to make it an attractive proposition to players. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has reportedly ring-fenced $5 billion to be spent on talent before 2030. Clubs are still pursuing targets – see Miguel Almiron and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both of whom are Saudi targets this month.
Saudi Arabia has placed an emphasis on sport and soccer in recent years with the country expected to be awarded the 2034 World Cup. It will take more than the departure of Henderson, or even Benzema, to divert the Saudi Pro League and its member clubs from the path they are currently on.
These examples, however, could slow the growth of the division. Players at the elite level talk to each other and if the experiences of the first wave of Saudi Pro League stars have been negative, that will ripple through the sport. In a competitive marketplace, players might be inclined to make a different decision in the future.
Next summer’s transfer window will provide an indication of any damage done to the reputation of the Saudi Pro League. The January transfer window was always expected to be a quiet one in terms of traffic from Europe to Saudi Arabia, but there are already early rumours about potential targets for the end of the 2023/24 season.
Six months ago, no player felt out of reach for the Saudi Pro League. Saudi clubs were so emboldened, Al-Hilal even made a move for Kylian Mbappe. The Paris Saint-Germain forward knocked back the record €1 billion contract offer, but Saudi figures clearly believed he could be swayed. Whether or not they still think that will soon be tested.
