Tracking Transfer Spending in the Saudi Pro League 🕵️‍♂️💸⚽

Money Moves: Analyzing Big Buys in Saudi Football 💸 ⚽️ 📊

Officially known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL), as you might expect the Saudi Pro League is awash with money. But incredibly, this is a football league that only became fully professional in 2007! 

Over the summer of 2023, football fans around the world have been raising their eyebrows at the slew of summer signings made by Saudi football clubs. 

With the closing of the Saudi transfer window on the 7th of September 2023, we’re taking a look at the spending, including the biggest players to make the move to Saudi. In this article, we also consider the ways that Saudi Pro League spending might impact the Big 5 leagues in Europe. 

Let’s get into it.

How much did Saudi clubs spend in 2023?

All in all, the Saudi Pro League recorded a net spend of US$950 million (€889 million) in the summer transfer window. 

The net spend of Saudi clubs ranks second, with the Premier League net spend amounting to US$1.38 billion (€1.29 billion). 

To put this net spend in context, we took a look at the net spend of Europe’s other Big 5 Leagues. 

France’s Ligue 1 recorded a net spend of €33.1 million (US$35 million). 

La Liga’s 20 clubs recorded a positive net spend of ~€152 million (US$161.7 million).

In Germany, Bundesliga clubs recorded a positive net spend of ~€298.2 million (US$317 million).

And in Italy, Serie A clubs recorded a positive net spend of ~€172 million (US$183.2 million). 

So, other than the Premier League and Ligue 1, three of Europe’s Big 5 leagues recorded positive net spends. 

Also keep in mind that Saudi clubs aren’t just spending huge amounts of money on transfer, they are also offering extremely lucrative contracts. For example, Karim Benzema’s deal at Al Ittihad is worth around €100 million per season. This takes us onto our next question…

Why are top footballers going to play in the Saudi Pro League? 

Although the Saudi Pro League is now regarded as one of the best league competitions in Asia, this isn’t a league with any pedigree, or any football clubs with interesting histories. 

This is also a league where the average attendance for games is just 10,000 people.

What is it then that is drawing top players, many of whom are still in their prime footballing years, to join Saudi clubs?

It’s money. Non-Saudi nationals that spend at least 6 months living in Saudi Arabia pay zero income tax.

That’s right, not only are the foreign players who have gone to play in Saudi Arabia getting paid huge amounts of money, they’re also not paying any income tax on their earnings. 

What impact will the rise of the Saudi Pro League have on the Big 5 Leagues?

The rise of Saudi football clubs, especially the 4 clubs majority-owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund —Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, and Al Hilal —is already having an impact on clubs in the Big 5 Leagues.

If the Public Investment Fund sticks to the plan and continues investing heavily in football, there will be a number of ramifications  

– Increased competition for marquee signings when the transfer windows open

– Transfer fee and salary inflation will continue 

– Potential for Saudi Pro League to be offered positions in the Champions League. Although this rumour has not been confirmed, there has been speculation that Saud clubs may be invited to play in the updated Champions League.  

What next for the Saudi Pro League?

As the Saudi Pro League continues to grow and improve, the footballing world is taking notice. While there are still many sceptics, the financial firepower of the top 4 Saudi clubs is undeniable.

It remains to be seen what the impact will be on Europe’s Big 5 leagues, however one thing we know for sure is that top footballing talent now see Saudi Arabia as a viable place to play their football.