In this week adding Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Ruben Neves, Al Hilal acquired a midfield partnership the envy of many top-level European clubs.
Neves had long been linked with a move within the English Premier League from Wolves to Manchester United or Liverpool, while he was understood to have serious interest this summer from Barcelona. But he chose the record 18-time Saudi Arabian top-flight winners over the freshly crowned Spanish champions.
Milinkovic-Savic, meanwhile, was said to have for some time featured highly as a transfer target of United and English rivals Arsenal. However, less than two months after helping Lazio to a runner-up finish in Serie A, he traded Rome for Riyadh.
In two weeks, and amid this summer of unprecedented Saudi spend, Hilal had recruited what appears a perfect partnership for the heart of their side: Neves, the deep-lying schemer who dictates tempo and provides craft; Milinkovic-Savic, a true box-to-box midfielder with the all-round game that offers goals and assists.
Last season, the Serbia international scored nine in the league and conjured eight more for presumably grateful teammates.
Since making his Serie A debut in 2015, Milinkovic-Savic had registered as the best midfielder in the division for total shots and duels won, highlighting his varied skill set. Technically adroit, his 338 chances created from open play during that time ranked second.
Pairing Milinkovic-Savic with Neves completes a central midfield contingent at Hilal that includes captain Salman Al Faraj – albeit injury-prone – and the enterprising Mohammed Kanno.
Should the four-time AFC Champions League winners, a distant third in the league last season as their transfer embargo and crammed schedule bit hard, bring in a proficient striker – Fulham’s Aleksander Mitrovic is a concrete option – they will no doubt feature strongly in what promises to be an ultra-competitive 2023/24 title race.
That Neves and Milinkovic-Savic are aged 26 and 28, respectively, underlines the Saudi Pro League’s newfound pulling power.
Yet Hilal aren’t the only team seeking to bolster their engine room with high-calibre players. Champions Al Ittihad have already signed N’Golo Kante, a World Cup winner in 2018, and are homing in on Liverpool’s Brazilian international Fabinho.
On Saturday, news emerged that Liverpool had removed Fabinho, an integral part of the English giants’ success since 2018, from their pre-season training camp in Germany because of a sizeable bid from Ittihad. It is reported to be north of $50 million. The expectation is that the deal will go through.
The investment hasn’t, though, been confined to Hilal and Ittihad. Earlier this month, Al Nassr, runners-up last season with Cristiano Ronaldo, recruited a World Cup silver medallist in Marcelo Brozovic, prizing the accomplished deep-lying playmaker from Uefa Champions League finalists Inter Milan.
The Riyadh club are believed to be close to augmenting Brozovic with rangy Lens midfielder Seko Fofana.
At Al Ahli, the returning Pro League side and the other of the four lead clubs controlled now by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, an approach has been made for Arsenal’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey.
What’s more, Jordan Henderson has accepted in principle a proposal to join former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard at Al Ettifaq, who was appointed as manager two weeks ago.
Convincing his successor as Liverpool captain, and a current England international, to move with him to Dammam represents a considerable coup, even if Henderson is aged 33 and with the involved clubs still far from agreeing on a transfer fee.
Even without Henderson’s arrival, from next season the Saudi top-flight will boast a host of talented imports in centre midfield. The expectation is more will follow. Crucial cogs in any team, it is no surprise the top clubs have prioritised elite performers to recondition their respective cores.
Top Saudi Pro League signings so far
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr): The transfer that started it all. The Portuguese superstar moved to the Saudi Pro League in January after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United. Ronaldo scored 14 goals in his first 16 Saudi Pro League games. AFP -
Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad): The first statement signing of the summer transfer window, Ballon d'Or holder Benzema joined the Saudi champions after agreeing an exit from Real Madrid. The French striker was welcomed with a fittingly grand ceremony. Reuters -
N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad): The French midfielder soon followed Benzema to Ittihad once his Chelsea contract expired. Kante, a two-time Premier League winner and World Cup champion, adds further glamour to the Saudi Pro League. AFP -
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal): By far the most expensive player in Saudi Pro League history. While Ronaldo and Benzema are the bigger global names, both arrived on free transfers. Portuguese midfielder Neves shattered the transfer record by moving to Hilal from Wolves for £47 million. AP -
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal): After completing the record-breaking move for Neves, Hilal turned their attention to Koulibaly, recruiting the Senegalese centre-back for £20m. Despite a difficult season at Chelsea, Koulibaly has been one of the standout defenders of his generation. AFP -
Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli): Before his long-term shoulder injury, Mendy was one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning the Champions League with Chelsea and Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. His £16m move to Ahli can help revive his career. AFP -
Jota (Al Ittihad): The Saudi champions are making major moves this summer, and the £25m acquisition of Portuguese winger Jota boosts an attack led by Benzema. PA -
Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr): Arriving to provide support to Ronaldo at Nassr, Croatian midfielder Brozovic joined the Saudi club for £15m after another impressive season for Champions League finalists Inter Milan. AFP -
Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq): Major arrivals are not only happening on the pitch but in the dugout. Former Rangers and Aston Villa manager Gerrard was appointed by Ettifaq and will aim to revive his career in Saudi. AFP -
Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli): The former Liverpool forward left Anfield after eight successful seasons to lead the attack at Ahli. @ALAHLI_FC / Twitter -
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal): Arguably the most eye-catching deal of the summer. The 28-year-old Serbia midfielder has frequently been linked with Europe's biggest clubs but has opted to join Hilal in a €40m deal. His midfield partnership with Ruben Neves would be the envy of many European teams. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq): The former Liverpool captain is expected to wear the armband following his move from the Premier League giants. The midfielder departed Anfield after 12 years, seven major trophies and 492 appearances. Reuters -
Alex Telles (Al Nassr): The Brazilian defender linked up with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr this summer. Telles spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sevilla, helping the Spanish club win the Europa League. He joined Nassr for a reported fee of £4 million. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) - Algerian winger Mahrez left Manchester City after five years at the Etihad Stadium in which he won 11 major trophies. In all, he made 236 appearances, scoring 78 goals. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli): The French winger signed for Jeddah giants Al Ahli on a three-year contract after confirming his departure from Newcastle. During his four years on Tyneside, Saint-Maximin scored 13 goals in 124 appearances. AFP -
Fabinho (Al Ittihad): An integral part of a Liverpool squad that won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons following his move from Monaco in 2019. Capped 29 times for his country, the Brazilian midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League champions on a three-year contract. AP -
Sadio Mane (Al Nassr): After six highly successful years at Liverpool, in which he won the Premier League and Uefa Champions League titles, Mane endured a frustrating season at Bayern Munich, though he contributed to their title success. The Senegalese, 31, will be part of a fearsome attacking line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Nassr. Getty -
Malcom (Al Hilal): Not content with breaking the Saudi Pro League transfer record once, Al Hilal did so twice this summer and made Brazilian winger Malcom the most expensive player in Saudi football history. AFP -
Seko Fofana (Al Nassr): A player in demand this summer after a superb season to help Lens run PSG close in Ligue 1, the Ivory Coast midfielder opted to link up with Ronaldo at Al Nassr over moves elsewhere in Europe. AC Milan had been strongly linked. AFP -
Franck Kessie (Al Ahli): The Ivory Coast midfielder's time at Barcelona may not have worked out but he remains a top-level operator and adds more quality and star power to Al Ahli. Getty -
Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq): A shrewd free transfer by Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, the French striker has moved to the Saudi Pro League side on a four-year deal and should provide the goals. AFP -
Neymar (Al Hilal). The Brazilian completed his move from PSG and is one of the biggest stars in the ever-expanding Saudi Pro League. He was unveiled in front of thousands of fans in Riyadh on Saturday. Getty -
Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab). After 265 appearances across two spells at Atletico Madrid, the Belgian winger joined the Riyadh club for a reported fee of €15 million. Carrasco also spent two years in the Chinese Super League. EPA -
Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq): The Dutch midfielder enhanced the Liverpool connection at Ettifaq, joining former teammate Jordan Henderson at the Damman club coached by Reds legend Steven Gerrard. Wijnaldum, 32, has signed a three-year contract. Reuters -
Gabri Veiga (Al Ahli): Widely regarded as one of the best midfield prospects in Spain, 21-year-old Veiga signed for Ahli on a three-year deal from Celta Vigo despite interest from Liverpool and Napoli. Veiga said he opted for the Saudi Pro League to "grow the game" in the kingdom. EPA -
Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr): A vital part of Manchester City's squad that clinched a treble of league, cup and Uefa Champions League in 2023, the Spaniard switched to Nassr over the summer to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. A fee of £23.6 million makes the 29-year-old the league's most expensive defender. Getty Images -
Otavio (Al Nassr): The Portugal midfielder scored 31 goals in 283 games in all competitions for Porto after joining the team in 2014. He linked up with Riyadh-based club after Porto accepted a bid of around $65 million. AFP -
Merih Demiral: (Al Ahli): The imposing Turkey centre-back boasts Sporting of Lisbon and Juventus among his previous clubs and stood out in Serie A across two seasons at Atalanta. The 25-year-old joined Ahli on a three-year contract. Getty
