Impressive transfers taking place in the Saudi Arabian national league are no stranger to football fans.
At first, many believed that the additions were discarded from the European circuit. But no, in recent months figures in full development and of a remarkable level have joined Saudi football.
The phenomenon starts from the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of 2022 in Saudi Arabia to cement what is now becoming the most active destination of this summer transfer window.
A not insignificant detail is the million-dollar budget that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) has allocated to reinforce the four most important teams in the country.
I propose to review the signings that to date have been confirmed by the media and specialists in the transfer market or that have been presented by the clubs.
AL-NASSR
Al-Nassr is the team that received Cristiano Ronaldo in December 2022, it was the gateway for the other galactic signings, but curiously it is, of the four teams sponsored by the PIF, the one that has been strengthened the least up to now.
They introduced the midfielders Marcelo Brozóvic (30), coming from Inter Milan, already Fofana School (28), from Lens, and they would be very close to closing the Brazilian left winger Alex Telles, from Manchester United. But he lacks weight additions in the attack in which names like Sadio Mane y Moussa Diaby.
AL-ITTIHAD
The current champions of the Saudi Arabian League gave the most important sporting and media coup of this transfer window when they signed Karim Benzema (35), current Ballon d’Or and one of the best players in the world.
They also introduced the world champion French midfielder Ngolo Kante (32) in another extraordinary movement for the club and for the league. In addition, from Celtic they brought Whom (24), a very skilled winger who scored 15 goals last season.
Several reports indicate that the containment of Liverpool Fabinho Tabares (29) would be the next to arrive at the team led by the Portuguese Nuno Espírito Santo, and thus they would complete an extraordinary duo with Kanté in midfield.
AL-HILAL
Due to history and global impact, Al-Hilal is the best team in Saudi Arabia and was a finalist in the Asian Champions League in 2023. They have won the League 18 times, the Cup 10 times and have lifted the AFC Champions League 4 times.
They have also been reinforced very well with the arrivals of the central defender Kalidou Koulibaly (32) from Chelsea and the midfielders Ruben Neves (26) y Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (28). The last two names refute the idea that Arabia is signing discards and semi-retired players.
Two more signings are rumored: the Brazilian winger Malcom (26) and the Serbian striker in the Premier League Aleksandar Mitrovic (28), who should be presented in the next few days if all goes well.
AL-AHLI
This is perhaps the least reputable team of the four, but they have names like that of the Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino (31) and the Senegalese goalkeeper champion of the Champions League Edward Mendy (31).
To these first two signings presented is added one of the most relevant confirmations of the season: Riyad Mahrez (32), from Manchester City, which has just won the treble in Europe (League, Cup and Champions League).
Another who would be very close to signing with this team would be Allan Saint-Maximin (26). Newcastle’s French winger could be officially introduced after they do so with Mahrez.
Saudi football is forming very competitive squads, teams that could perfectly compete in European tournaments and do well. But this is not going to stop here. I am sure that world-renowned names will continue to arrive in Arabia which, as I said in the title, seems to have “borrowed” the idea of Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, to put together an authentic Super League in his domain.
We will remain vigilant!
2023-07-22 23:02:49
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