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Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history

Following Ronaldo's unveiling, the viewership of the Saudi Pro League soared to unprecedented levels, accompanied by a huge increase in social media engagement and other related activities. The Arab community appears to have recognized the positive impact that hosting a World Cup can have, particularly after the experience of Qatar 2022.

In preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is making every effort to ensure success. The Public Investment Funds are continuing to make waves in world football. Initially, the PIF consortium acquired the struggling Newcastle United, facilitating their return to Champions League competition within a span of two years.

The individuals likely gained a comprehensive understanding of football, both on and off the field, through their association with The Magpies. Subsequently, they acquired a 75% stake in all four premier clubs within the Saudi Pro League. Among these clubs is Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, alongside Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli.

They have swiftly created unease among clubs in Europe, which are now striving to retain their star players. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player in football history to receive an annual salary of 200 million dollars. However, he does not appear on our list, owing to his transfer occurring without a fee.

In this article, let’s look at the current 10 most expensive signings in the Saudi Pro League history.

10. Roger Ibañez – €28.5m (AS Roma to Al-Ahli)

Roger Ibanez - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Roger Ibañez (Credits - Goal.com)

Another talent that Al-Ahli brought home was Roger Ibañez. The Jeddah-based club successfully negotiated with AS Roma to facilitate the Brazilian's transfer for a fee of €28.5 million. Prior to Ibañez's arrival, notable players such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Alain Saint-Maximin, and Franck Kessie had already established their presence in the team's dressing room.

9. Jota – €29.1m (Celtic to Al-Ittihad)

Jota - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Jota (Credits - Football.com)

The Portuguese winger concluded his tenure at Celtic after only one season when he received an offer from Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad. Notably, two prominent French players, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, were also part of this transaction, having joined on free transfers. Following an impressive season in which he netted 15 goals and contributed 12 assists, the 24-year-old winger transitioned to the lucrative opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Jota, however, does not hold the record for the highest transfer fee in Al-Ittihad's history. The former Liverpool player has that spot.

8. Sadio Mané – €30m (Bayern Munich to Al-Nassr)

Sadio Mané - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Sadio Mané (Credits - Transfermarkt)

The 31-year-old left winger has already experienced success with Al-Nassr. Sadio Mané got to celebrate lifting the 2023–24 United Arab Club Champions Cup trophy alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed in January. Ronaldo lacked exciting players around him. Now, the former Bayern Munich and Liverpool star is enhancing the team's performance. Bayern Munich agreed to a transfer fee of €30 million for Mané shortly after his one-year tenure with the club.

7. Riyad Mahrez – €35m (Man City to Al-Ahli)

Riyad Mahrez - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Riyad Mahrez (Credits - Transfermarkt)

The winger was involved in winning a treble with Manchester City.  Despite not being involved in the FA Cup and Champions League finals, even for a moment, Riyad Mahrez's exceptional talent was widely recognized. Following his decision to explore new opportunities, Manchester City was pleased to secure such a substantial fee for his transfer.

6. Sergej Milinković-Savić – €40m (Lazio to Al-Hilal)

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Sergej Milinković-Savić (Credits - Goal.com)

Since his transfer to Lazio in the summer of 2015, Sergej Milinkovi-Savi has been the subject of transfer speculation every year. However, it was not until Al-Hilal expressed interest that a move became a possibility. After departing from the Belgian club KRC Genk in 2015 to join the Biancocelesti, the Serbian central midfielder made 341 appearances for Lazio from 2015 to 2023. During his tenure with the Italian club, Milinkovi-Savi recorded 69 goals and provided 59 assists.

5. Fabinho – €46.7m (Liverpool to Al-Ittihad)

Fabinho - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Fabinho (Credits - Saudi Pro League)

Fabinho made 49 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool in the 2022–23 season. The Reds experienced a disappointing season relative to their usual performance, which was soon succeeded by a significant overhaul of the midfield in the summer. The 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder was permitted to leave for a transfer fee of €46.7 million, a deal that was agreed upon between Al-Ittihad and Liverpool.

4. Ruben Neves – €55m (Wolves to Al-Hilal)

Ruben Neves - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Ruben Neves (Credits - Goal.com)

Wolves are said to have received $55 million in transfer fees from Al-Hilal. This signing came as a surprise, considering that at the age of 26, he would likely have secured a position in the starting lineup of numerous Champions League teams throughout Europe.

The Portuguese midfielder earns nearly €18.36 million annually, marking a substantial increase from his previous weekly salary of €57,632 at Molineux. Neves departed from Wolves FC after having made 253 appearances and netting 30 goals.

3. Malcom – €60m (Zenit St. Petersburg to Al-Hilal)

Malcom - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Malcom (Credits - Transfermarkt)

The previous winger for Zenit St. Petersburg was only 26 years old at the time of his transfer. Despite the ultimately disappointing outcome, Malcom chose to seek greater playing opportunities after just one year with the Catalan Giants, feeling that Zenit could not provide him with the playing time he desired.

The Brazilian player has transitioned from aspirations of joining a larger European club to currently representing Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Hilal have won the Asian Champions League four times.

2. Jhon Duran – €77m (Aston Villa to Al-Nassr)

Jhon Duran - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Jhon Duran (Credits - Goal.com)

The latest addition to this list is Jhon Duran, who had a remarkable tenure with Aston Villa in the Premier League. The Colombian forward is set to join Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. A pertinent question arises regarding his positioning within the team, considering the presence of Sadio Mane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other players vying for the attacking positions

1. Neymar – €100m (PSG to Al-Hilal)

Neymar - Top 10 most expensive signings in Saudi Pro League history
Neymar (Credits - Goal.com)

Neymar has transferred to Santos. The player was previously acquired for a record-breaking fee of €222 million in 2017. After spending six years in the French capital, the winger has departed to join Al-Hilal.

Neymar was originally signed by the Parisian club with the goal of securing the UEFA Champions League title. However, despite the presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, this aspiration remained unfulfilled. Consequently, the club opted to sell him and pursue a different direction.

Moreover, his tenure in Saudi Arabia proved to be similarly unproductive, as injuries hindered his ability to showcase his talents.

Cover Credits - Transfermarkt

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