The 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season kicks off on August 22, and just a year ago, it felt like a star player was arriving in Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities almost daily. Over the past year, more than £700 million was invested in high-profile players such as Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Riyad Mahrez, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who had previously made headlines with his move to the Middle East.
However, expectations for this summer’s spending spree have not yet materialized, mirroring a general downturn in the global transfer market.
“It has been a relatively quiet summer across global football,” noted Simon Chadwick, a professor of sport and geopolitical economy at Skema Business School in Paris, speaking to BBC Sport. “This can be attributed to a combination of challenging economic conditions, the late conclusion of continental national team tournaments, and clubs trying to navigate local financial regulations.”
Credit: BBC Sport
