There seems to be no end to the spending spree that has stunned the football world this year, with even more big names set to move to the Middle East in 2024.
It turns out that Cristiano Ronaldo was just the beginning. Saudi Arabian football caused a stir earlier this year when Al-Nassr signed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – but it was a wave of backlash generated by a £700 million ($870m) summer spending spree. It was nothing compared to the wave that such players had seen. Karim Benzema and Neymar join Ronaldo in the Middle East.
The scale of the project should be abundantly clear, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) providing huge financial support to the country’s four biggest clubs – Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahly and Al-Ittihad Went.
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 what they need”. However, the former Chelsea technical director admitted that any attempt to make “additions at the highest level” would be fully supported.
So, which high-profile players could be targeted this winter? And what are the chances of more big shots making it to the Pro League? Target Breaks it all down…
(TagstoTranslate)Al Ittihad(T)Al Nassr(T)Al Hilal(T)Ahly(T)Manchester United(T)Liverpool(T)Tottenham Hotspur(T)Arsenal(T)J. Sancho