Fernandes next? The most expensive transfers in Saudi Pro League history | OneFootball

The Saudi Pro League has become a major financial force in recent years, with the big-spending division signing several marquee names.

Ballon d’Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema currently play their football in the Middle East and the recruitment drive continues. Al-Hilal are pushing to sign Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United in a deal that could break the division’s transfer record.

As Fernandes weighs up a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, we’ve ranked the five most expensive transfers in the league’s history.

The five most expensive transfers in Saudi Pro League history

5. Otavio – FC Porto to Al-Nassr (£50.5m)

Al-Nassr spent €60m (£50.5m) to sign Otavio from FC Porto in 2023, securing a deal to bring in the reigning Primeira Liga Player of the Year. The midfielder linked up with Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and scored 10 league goals during his debut season. Last term was less successful for the 30-year-old, who mustered a single goal in 40 games.

4. Malcom – Zenit St Petersburg to Al-Hilal (£50.5m)

Malcom’s nomadic career took in Saudi Arabia as its latest stop in 2023. The Brazilian winger had rebuilt his reputation at Zenit St Petersburg, following a disappointing high-profile move to Barcelona earlier in his career.

He joined Al-Hilal having scored 42 goals in 109 games for the Russian side and has continued that impressive goal record in the Pro League. He scored 25 goals during his debut season as Al-Hilal won a Saudi Pro League and Kings Cup double.

3. Moussa Diaby – Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad (£50.5m)

Just one season after joining Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen, Moussa Diaby departed for the riches of the Saudi Pro League. Villa banked €60m (£50.5m) for the French winger, who joined up with compatriots Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante at Al-Itthad.

Diaby helped Al-Ittihad to the Saudi Pro League title in 2024/25, trailing only Al-Hilal’s Salem Al-Dawsari for assists with 14.

2. Jhon Duran – Aston Villa to Al-Nassr (£64.9m)

Aston Villa banked another fortune from the Saudi Pro League in January 2025 as Jhon Duran departed for Al-Nassr.

The Colombian centre-forward scored 12 goals in 29 games across the first half of the 2024/25 season for Aston Villa, including a brilliant winner against Bayern Munich.

Duran’s goal record, despite sharing minutes with Ollie Watkins, persuaded Al-Nassr to break the bank for his signature. A €77m (£64.9m) deal was agreed with Duran partnering Cristiano Ronaldo in the club’s forward line. He scored 12 goals in 18 appearances for Al-Nassr this season.

1. Neymar – Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal (£75.9m)

Al-Hilal broke the Saudi Pro League transfer record to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, a deal that proved nothing short of a disaster.

The £75.9m investment brought no return for Al-Hilal, as the Brazilian made just three league appearances. Soon after his arrival, Neymar sustained an ACL injury that sidelined him for over a year.

Upon his return, he struggled to get up to speed, and a decision was made to terminate his €150m-per-season deal by mutual consent in January 2025. The Brazilian returned to his homeland to rejoin his first club, Santos.

Read – Al-Nassr want Liverpool winger as part of transfer plan to persuade Ronaldo stay

See more – Five of Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatest goals

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