Studying the Saudi Pro League Transfers

In partnership with

Hooligan Soccer

·18 August 2025

Studying the Saudi Pro League Transfers

The fundamental question: is this a spending spree or smart strategy?

Overview

The 2025 summer transfer window has solidified the Saudi Pro League’s position as a global spending powerhouse. The league’s net spending reached approximately $480M, second only to the Premier League and exceeding La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A combined. Traditionally, the majority of investment was concentrated within PIF owned clubs: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli. But this year the PIF clubs only account for 47.3% of spending, and two other clubs (Al-Qadsiah and NEOM SC) have nearly half the league’s total expense.

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Club-by-Club Breakdown

Al-Hilal transfer is not the biggest spender but they secured Darwin Núñez from Liverpool for around $62 million and bolstered their defense by signing Theo Hernández from AC Milan for approximately $29.3 million. These marquee deals are designed to maintain their regional dominance and boost continental aspirations through strategic player transfers.

Al-Nassr followed suit, the biggest spender anchoring their summer with João Félix, acquired from Chelsea in a deal reported at $35 million upfront with potential add-ons pushing the value to $58.5 million. Additionally, they secured defender Iñigo Martínez on a free transfer from Barcelona. Transfer talks for Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich just closed today, with a reported offer of $29.3 million plus add-ons.

Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli have maintained momentum through strategic reinforcements. While major transfers were reported previously, detailed listing of their summer additions remains pending at present, showcasing a period of focused player transfers.

Neom SC, newly promoted to the Pro League, adopted a calculated and high potential strategy. They added a strong mix of players (all from France’s Ligue 1): defender Nathan Zézé for $23.2 million, goalkeeper Marcin Bułka for $17.2 million, midfielders like Amadou Koné ($15.3 million) and Saïd Benrahma ($13.75 million), while also acquiring veteran Alexandre Lacazette on a free.

Al-Qadsiah actually lead all clubs in spending, committing over $135 million for six new players (3 international and 3 domestic). Argentinian striker Mateo Retegui comes from Atalanta (where he had 28g/9a in all comps), and he’ll be flanked by Christopher Bonsu Baah (Genk) on the right and Gabriel Carvalho (Internacional) on the left.

Various other clubs, including Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, mainly executed low-cost or free transfers, while Al-Hazem added players on loan returns, signaling more modest ambitions for this cycle of player transfers.

Youth Investment: Building for the Future

The 2025 window isn’t just about stars on the decline; there’s a clear pivot toward youth transfers. Clubs are prioritizing emerging talents like Brazilian prospect Durán, alongside 19 to 21 year-olds such as Matteo Dams, Marcos Leonardo, Kaio César, Wesley, Ângelo which securing resale value and long term league strength. This shift reflects a sustainable model, moving away from being labeled a “retirement league.” Foreign player slots now include designated U-21 positions to cultivate emerging talent.

What’s Still Brewing?

Al-Hilal continues to round out its offensive options, reportedly targeting Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Fiorentina’s Moise Kean. Additionally, talks persist around Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, with Al-Hilal preparing a record-breaking $135 million bid and a potential $88 million-per-year salary. Please note: nothing is confirmed yet in terms of future transfers, this is all rumor.

Strategic Insights

PIF’s Concentrated Power: Saudi’s Public Investment Fund has prioritized a small cluster of clubs, pumping vast resources to elevate their competitive profile.
Diversity of Approaches: While star studded acquisitions dominate headlines, clubs like Al Nassr illustrate that high budget isn’t the only game plan targeted youth and affordable experience are strategies gaining traction through transfers.
Star Next, Structure Later?: There are concerns over sustainability. Past patterns in Asia show that such intensive spending may be short lived unless structural income grows proportionately.
European Market Disruption: The Saudi window’s financial gravity has disrupted trends in Europe, absorbing potential talent inflows and injecting liquidity into selling clubs.

Final Thoughts

Summer 2025 in Saudi Arabia has been defined by both ambition and precision. Elite clubs secured world class talent with record-breaking fees, while new challengers like Neom SC advanced measured and high potential signings through strategic transfers. The scale is unprecedented, but long-term impact hinges equally on strategic investment and league-wide growth not just headline making moves.