The spending spree that has shocked the football world this year shows no signs of stopping and a number of big names are set to arrive.
It turns out that Cristiano Ronaldo was just the beginning. Saudi football made waves earlier this year when Al-Nassr signed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, but the tidal wave generated by the £700 million ($870 million) spent during the summer This was nothing in comparison and that allowed players like Karim Benzema and Neymar to join Ronaldo in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has taken control of the country’s four biggest clubs – Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahly and Al-Ittihad – and provided them with significant financial support, given the scale of the project. Obviously it has become very big.
Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo does not expect the January transfer window to be ‘very busy’, arguing that the majority of teams in the competition ‘now have everything they need.’ However, Chelsea’s former technical director admitted that any attempts to add “top players” would be fully supported.
So who are the high-level players that could be targeted this winter? And what are the Pro League’s chances of achieving further success? Target takes stock below…
(TagstoTranslate)Al Ittihad(T)Al Nasr Riyadh(T)Al Hilal(T)Ahly(T)Manchester United(T)Liverpool(T)Tottenham(T)Arsenal(T)J. Sancho