KSAsportz report
RIYADH — The Saudi Pro League’s summer transfer window has once again transformed the Kingdom into a global hotspot for football talent, with significant investments and high-profile signings making headlines. This year, clubs in the league spent over $600 million, marking a 150% increase from last season, according to industry sources.
One of the most notable players of the window, Al Ittihad, bolstered their squad thanks to the expertise of sporting director Ramon Planes. The Jeddah giants acquired local talents such as Mohammed Barnawi from Al Hilal and Mohammed Hazazi from Al Nassr. They also picked up Guinean prospect Roger Fernandes from Braga, Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Doumbia from Antwerp, and Serbian defender Jan Carlo Simic from Anderlecht.
In contrast, departures included Abdullilah Hawsawi moving to Al Taawoun and Unai Hernández joining Al Shabab on loan.
Champions Al Hilal made even bigger waves by signing French fullback Theo Hernández from AC Milan and Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez from Liverpool. Their roster also acquired Ali Lajami from Al Nassr and Abdulkarim Aldarsi from Al Ahli. However, key players Aleksandar Mitrović and Yasser Al Shahrani departed to Al Rayyan and Al Qadsiah, respectively.
Al Nassr’s aggressive rebuilding process, directed by new CEO José Semedo and sporting director Simão Coutinho, led to high-profile arrivals such as Portuguese playmaker João Félix from Chelsea and French winger Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich. Notably, Colombian striker Jhon Durán has headed to Fenerbahçe on loan, while Ali Lajami made the switch to Al Hilal.
Al Qadsiah made a splash by signing last season’s Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui from Atalanta, along with Portuguese midfielder Otávio from Al Nassr and Saudi internationals Yasser Al Shahrani and Musab Al Juwayr from Al Hilal. In a surprising twist, they parted ways with Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Fresh off their Asian Elite Cup triumph, Al Ahli also revamped their squad for an intense multi-front campaign, including the FIFA Club Cup. They brought in French midfielder Enzo Millot from Stuttgart and Brazilian winger Matheus Gonçalves from Flamengo, while saying goodbye to stars like Roberto Firmino (to Al Sadd) and Gabri Veiga (to Porto).
Al Shabab made key late additions by securing Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe from Al Khaleej and Englishman Josh Brownhill from Burnley. They also saw Haroun Kamara join Al Nassr, while Cristian Guanca left for AlUla.
Among ambitious challengers, Al Ettifaq signed Slovak international Ondrej Duda from Hellas Verona, while Al Taawoun added French midfielder Angelo Fulgini from Lens and Al Fateh captured Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi from Ettifaq.
Al Khaleej highlighted their summer by signing Norwegian striker Joshua King from Toulouse and Greek winger Giorgos Masouras from Olympiacos. Additionally, Al Fayha added Alfa Semedo from Neom FC and Yassine Benzia from Qarabag. Damac fortified their squad with Ivorian Yakou Méïté from Cardiff and Paraguayan Jesús Medina from Spartak Moscow.
Newcomers Al Okhdood maintained their ambitious strategy by securing Koray Günter from Hellas Verona and Samuel Lima from Porto.
However, it was the newly launched Neom FC that stole headlines, making impressive signings such as veteran French striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, Ivorian midfielder Amadou Koné from Reims, Spanish keeper Luis Maximiano from Almería, and Abdoulaye Doucouré from Everton.
Even the promoted sides like Al Khaleej, Al Riyadh, Al Najma, and Al Hazem were active, making both local and foreign signings to strengthen their squads and prepare for the competitive season ahead.