As Saudi Arabia continues to assert itself as a major player in the world of football, two high-profile Premier League stars are being strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. According to reliable reports, Manchester United’s André Onana and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães are the latest targets of top Saudi clubs as the Kingdom looks to strengthen its football project under Vision 2030.
André Onana (Manchester United) - Targeted by Saudi Clubs
Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana, who joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023 for a reported £47 million, is now attracting serious interest from Saudi Pro League sides, according to reports from The Sun. After a challenging first season at Old Trafford, Onana could be offered a fresh start in Saudi Arabia, where clubs are aggressively building squads with world-class talent and offering lucrative financial packages.
If the move materializes, it would mark a new chapter for Onana and demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s ambition to recruit elite players even in pivotal positions like goalkeeper — a sign of the Pro League’s long-term sporting vision.
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) – Al Nassr Planning a Move
Another major name linked with a Saudi switch is Arsenal’s Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhães. According to TalkSport, Al Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, is exploring a deal to bring Gabriel to Riyadh, offering a substantial salary to lure him away from the Emirates.
At just 26 years old, Gabriel is a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s defense and has been instrumental in Arsenal’s recent Premier League resurgence. His potential arrival in the Saudi Pro League would be a major coup, especially as the Kingdom seeks younger, top-performing international talent, not just veteran stars.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Football Vision
These transfer targets are part of a broader strategy led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to turn the nation into a global sports powerhouse. Following successful signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar Jr., the focus is now shifting toward younger profiles in peak form — like Gabriel and Onana — to ensure long-term competitiveness and global credibility.
This evolving strategy highlights Saudi Arabia’s shift from symbolic signings to tactically valuable acquisitions, helping raise the overall level of domestic competition and international perception.
Photo credit : https://www.arsenalinsider.com/news/gabriel-magalhaes-sends-seven-word-message-to-arsenal-fans-after-beating-man-utd-in-pre-season/
Comment André Onana a déjà transformé Manchester United