From a regional football championship, the Saudi Pro League has grown into one of the most exciting and financially powerful leagues around the world.
This has been a rather meteoric rise propelled largely by the stunning financial muscle of clubs that compete in the league, with no expenses spared in luring talents from around the world to their teams.
This is one of those sure periods when Saudi Arabian clubs spent over £700 million in the 2023 summer transfer window and shook the very foundation on which football stands.
This is not some exercise to buy in star appeal, but a serious game of quality, exposure, and appeal of the league at large.
With Saudi Arabia’s transfer window running for such an extremely long period outside the European market, clubs in that region have had ample time for detail in moves and have always tried to outmuscle other clubs in Europe.
The resulting effect has been one of high-profile transfers that have redefined the League.
Now comes the big reveal, giving the top ten most expensive signings in Saudi Arabian football history. Each one has been a monumental leap in itself with development continued and improved upon.
- 1. Neymar – €90m (PSG to Al-Hilal, 2023)
- 2. Moussa Diaby – €60m (Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad, 2024)
- 3. Malcom – €60m (Zenit to Al-Hilal, 2023)
- 4. Otavio – €60m (Porto to Al-Nassr, 2023)
- 5. Ruben Neves – €55m (Wolves to Al-Hilal, 2023)
- 6. Aleksandar Mitrovic – €52.5m (Fulham to Al-Hilal, 2023)
- 7. Fabinho – €46.7m (Liverpool to Al-Ittihad, 2023)
- 8. Ivan Toney – €40m (Brentford to Al-Ahli, 2024)
- 9. Mohamed Simakan – €40m (Leipzig to Al-Nassr, 2024)
- 10. Marcos Leonardo – €40m (Benfica to Al-Hilal, 2024)
1. Neymar – €90m (PSG to Al-Hilal, 2023)
Neymar is the most expensive signing ever in Saudi Arabian football.
Transferred from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal in sensational style in 2023, with a sweet price tag of €90 million, the Brazilian superstar is known for his extraordinary skill on the pitch coupled with his flamboyant style.
It was not just a footballing decision for him but a statement: Saudi Pro League had finally arrived to take on elite Europe.
When Neymar moved to Saudi Arabia, his contract was worth €150 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid sportsmen in the world.
Neymar was invested in by Al-Hilal for what he would do on the pitch, but most importantly, because he could raise the global profile of the league.
His presence within the league has drawn unprecedented attention to it, and his actions will fall under a microscope as he leads Al-Hilal in their pursuit of domestic and continental glory.
2. Moussa Diaby – €60m (Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad, 2024)
The shocking transfer of Diaby to Al-Ittihad is a shift in transfer strategies regarding Saudi clubs since he is younger and more dynamic talent that could shape the future of the league, as opposed to other marquee signings of established stars.
Diaby had joined Aston Villa in 2023 for similar money but quickly became a target for Al-Ittihad, who saw him as the key to long-term plans.
Pacey, creative, and clinical, Diaby was a potent addition to an already well-stacked Al-Ittihad squad that hosts the likes of N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema.
His signing is seen as a much-needed look in trying to inject young blood into the team lest it remain star-studded but lacking an energetic bite that would serve it better in pursuit of both domestic glory and continental success at the AFC Champions League.
3. Malcom – €60m (Zenit to Al-Hilal, 2023)
Arguably an even bigger addition to this current list of players at Al-Hilal came in 2023 with the signing of Malcom from the Russian side.
The Brazilian winger had been one of the top performers in Russia, where he had won several league titles and finished this season as the top scorer.
He moved to Saudi Arabia as part of the bigger strategy at Al-Hilal in putting together a squad that could dominate both domestically and continentally.
In no time, Malcom proved his worth as he was instrumental in helping Al-Hilal pip the league title and a King Cup in his very maiden season.
His 23 goals and 14 assists were crucial for these successes, giving him the status of one of the best signings this league has ever seen.
With panache and finishing finesse, Malcom has quickly become a fans’ favorite and an integral mainstay in Al-Hilal’s quest for sustained dominance.
4. Otavio – €60m (Porto to Al-Nassr, 2023)
Otavio’s transfer finally brought an end to a glittering nine-year reign at Porto, whom he had helped win three league titles and who named him Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season.
Otavio became Porto’s costliest exit when a release clause triggered a Saudi Arabian transfer.
His services in attacking midfield have been ever so important since he joined Al-Nassr, scoring 11 and creating many more.
With his passing skills and dribbling, he has become an intrinsic part of Al-Nassr’s attacks, showcasing Saudi Pro League’s increasing ability to attract and implement top-class talent from Europe’s leading clubs.
5. Ruben Neves – €55m (Wolves to Al-Hilal, 2023)
Another stunning transfer was that of Ruben Neves for €55 million much bigger outlay by the Saudi club.
Having grown into a mainstay in the Wolves’ lineup, Portuguese midfielder Neves developed a reputation as one of the most dependable midfielders in the Premier League.
The fact that he decided to go to Saudi Arabia at 26-an age by which a player is fully grown-up-says volumes about the increasing appeal of the league.
He comes well-experienced: over 50 caps with Portugal and the title of UEFA Nations League winner. He has come to Al-Hilaly as part of their plans to assemble a tough-tackling midfield capable of holding its own at the highest levels.
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6. Aleksandar Mitrovic – €52.5m (Fulham to Al-Hilal, 2023)
Mitrovic’s transfer was another statement of intent from the Saudi Pro League.
This physically imposing Serbian forward knows his way to the back of the net quite regularly. He was an important figure for Fulham in the English Premier League and usually topped goalscoring charts.
His desire for a new challenge saw him leave England for Saudi Arabia, and Al-Hilal did not take long to pounce on his situation.
His coming into Al-Hilal added firepower to an already star-packed Al-Hilal lineup, making them one of the most dreaded teams in the league.
Needless to say, his goalscoring feats have fast-tracked him into an indispensable element in the team setup and further underlined the high level of competitiveness enjoyed by the Saudi Pro League in luring the best talent from across the globe.
7. Fabinho – €46.7m (Liverpool to Al-Ittihad, 2023)
This move finally brought to a close what was a highly successful spell in England, with Fabinho an important cog in the wheel of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
With his defensive skills, tactical intelligence, and many other positives, the midfielder went on to become one of the influential players in Liverpool’s triumphs in the Premier League and Champions League.
Fabinho was an important signing at Al-Ittihad, as it is a team that has needed his services to make a claim to be among the best in the region.
The qualities he possesses include experience in controlling the midfield, thereby playing a vital part in the setup of the team and bringing cohesion and leadership onto the pitch.
8. Ivan Toney – €40m (Brentford to Al-Ahli, 2024)
Toney’s transfer was one of the most talked-about deadline-day transfers of the year, with Al Ahli dragging out negotiations with Victor Osimhen, who by now would have been its highest signing in the Saudi Pro League.
It would appear Napoli and Osimhen are at loggerheads, which gives room for Al Ahli to snap up Toney.
With only one year remaining on his deal with Brentford, the London club decided logically to cash in on their star forward instead of losing him for free the following year.
Toney leaves Brentford having scored 72 goals in 141 appearances, one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the club.
A move to Saudi Arabia was bold, but it has grown in recent times to be the next logical destination for top talents, and his move was no different.
The arrival of Toney at Al-Ahli will surely give a big boost to their attacking line, further raising the profile of the league.
9. Mohamed Simakan – €40m (Leipzig to Al-Nassr, 2024)
The transfer of Simakan was the latest in the long line of the Saudi Pro League signing promising youngsters.
Having emerged as one of the most exciting young centre-backs in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig, his decision to move to Saudi Arabia had been highly surprising and raised several eyebrows in the football circle due to him having turned just 24 years of age.
That was a statement of growing interest in the league that has, even for those whom one might expect to spend their careers in Europe, become more attractive.
Equally capable of playing both in the centre and on the right, Simakan is expected to become one of the key tools in Al-Nassr’s backline that will take them into the most competitive matches at home and on the Asian continent.
10. Marcos Leonardo – €40m (Benfica to Al-Hilal, 2024)
Rounding the list is Leonardo, a Brazil forward who joined Al-Hilal in what now looks like an outrageous deal after just six months of signing with Benfica.
Despite interest from top clubs in Europe, including Arsenal, Leonardo signed off the papers and chose Saudi Arabia as his new destination, underlining the growing appeal of the league to young, emerging talents.
Leonardo’s short spell at Benfica, having scored seven goals in 14 league outings for the club, indeed allowed him to be one of the most exciting young prospects in football.
The Saudi Pro League will now pull off a big coup with his choice of destination-seekers such as Al-Hilal, since it apparently attracts not only established stars but also rising talents who would like to make their mark on the world stage.
