Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker are just two of the many big-name stars eyed by the Saudi Pro League, according to a report.
Saudi Arabia shook up the European market in the summer of 2023 and intends to do so again this year. After luring Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to the Middle East, the Saudi Pro League is once more set for a transfer window of massive spending.
An ambitious government initiative has been launched to turn the Pro League into one of the best top flights in the world and to do that, big names are required. Last summer, the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired the Pro League’s four biggest clubs and provided significant funds to enable the acquisition of Neymar and company.
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The January window was quiet as most clubs had already filled all of their eight permitted foreigner spots or had simply used up their budget, but that won’t be a problem this summer, with the foreigner limit increased to ten (two spots now reserved for U21 signings) and funds once more freed up.
Alisson, Salah on the agenda
Indeed, it is expected that more of Europe’s most high-profile footballers will head to the Kingdom this year. The likes of Casemiro and Raphael Varane, who announced his Man Utd departure earlier this week, as well as Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah have all been linked with a Pro League switch for some time.
On Monday, The Telegraph reported that the Saudis plan to sign at least 10 ‘marquee players’ this summer. Some of the names included on the list of targets raised eyebrows. Salah’s teammate was said to also be on the agenda as was fellow Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson of Man City.
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This has now been echoed by The Guardian in a report again reiterating that Alisson is a concrete target. The 31-year-old is still under contract at Liverpool until 2027 and has been one of the most important and transformative signings of the Jurgen Klopp era. However, perhaps he could follow his manager out the door this summer.
