The emergence of the Saudi Pro League over the past year has taken the football world by storm, particularly when it comes to the transfer window.
Last summer, the Saudi Pro League signed an array of talent from Europe’s top leagues, including the Premier League, with the offer of increased wages tempting some big names to move to the middle east.
But a few months on from the summer, there are reports that some of those who left the Premier League might favour a return to Europe.
Here are the Premier League players who transferred to the Saudi Pro League last summer and how they have got on so far.
Jordan Henderson, Liverpool to Al Ettifaq, £12 million
After his move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ettifaq caused a huge stir, England midfielder Jordan Henderson is now said to be eyeing a move back to Europe with Dutch side Ajax said to be very keen on signing him.
Embed from Getty ImagesAl Ettifaq have been performing poorly since the start of Steven Gerrard’s tenure, having not won a match in any competition since October, losing four and drawing five of their last nine fixtures.
The 33-year-old has played 17 times in the league for his current club, assisting four times, but now looks headed for an early exit following a disappointing spell in Saudi Arabia.
Roberto Firmino, Liverpool to Al-Ahli, free transfer
The highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history and Henderson’s teammate at Liverpool, Firmino moved to Saudi Arabia despite possessing the ability to still compete in European football.
Having said that, the Brazilian hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations for Ah-Ahli. Firmino, who was named captain in the summer, has started the last seven league fixtures on the bench and has scored just three goals in 19 appearances for the club with his side 13 points off leaders Al-Hilal.
Embed from Getty ImagesFirmino has been linked with a move back to Europe, including with Premier League Chelsea who are said to be considering a loan move for the experienced striker.
Ruben Neves, Wolves to Al-Hilal, £47 million
It was hard for Wolves to turn down such a lucrative fee when an offer came in for Ruben Neves in the summer. The 26-year-old is arguably in the prime of his career and whilst at Wolves he was linked to a host of top clubs including Barcelona but opted for a move to Al-Hilal.
It was one of the more surprising moves of the summer transfer window but the move has seemingly been a success, with Al-Hilal sitting undefeated atop the Saudi Pro League and Neves having missed just one game for the club, assisting four times and scoring once in the league.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Portuguese international has been linked with a move to Newcastle following a decision that no ban will be imposed on clubs purchasing from related parties, but Neves is expected to stay at Al-Hilal until at least the end of the season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham to Al-Hilal, £50 million
Mitrovic arrived in Saudi Arabia having scored 128 goals in English football for Fulham and Newcastle and off the back of a fruitful return to the Premier League with Fulham in 2022, scoring 14 goals in the top flight.
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Neves, Mitrovic could have forged a move elsewhere but instead chose to move to the Saudi-Pro League. The 29-year-old has continued his goal-scoring streak, scoring 17 goals in 17 league games for league leaders Al-Hilal in what has been a successful move for the forward.
With strikers in demand in Europe, teams could be looking at Mitrovic but would most likely be priced out of a move with Mitrovic seemingly settled in Saudi Arabia and establishing himself as one of the league’s best players.
Aymeric Laporte, Manchester City to Al-Nassr, £25 million
Laporte rapidly fell out of favour with Pep Guardiola last season and the player reportedly wished to leave the club in search of more minutes.
Having once been an integral part of City’s team, Laporte started just 13 of City’s Premier League games last season and the club were open to selling the Frenchman, who joined Al-Nassr.
Embed from Getty ImagesLaporte has linked up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane at Al-Nassr and has been a mainstay in the side ever since. Al-Nassr sit second in the league and have already picked up silverware, winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in August.
The 29-year-old is still a top defender and could certainly still perform in Europe, but right now things at Al-Nassr are going well and it does not look as though a move away is likely.
Edouard Mendy – Chelsea to Al-Ahli, £16 million
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former Chelsea goalkeeper left to join Al-Ahli in the summer and despite sitting 13 points off league leaders Al-Hilal, the move appears to have worked out well for the 31-year-old who has played 19 times in the league and conceded just 16 goals.
Mendy is currently at AFCON with Senegal to the Saudi Pro League when the season resumes in February.
Riyad Mahrez – Man City to Al-Ahli, £30 million
Embed from Getty ImagesAmong the biggest acquisitions a Saudi Pro League club has made, Riyad Mahrez left Man City to join Al-Ahli despite being one of the club’s most important players in their treble winning season.
Mahrez has showcased his quality in the Saudi Pro League so far, scoring eight goals and assisting seven times in 19 league games and is currently at AFCON with Algeria.
A lot of clubs would love to tempt Mahrez back to Europe but there does not look much chance of that happening.
N’Golo Kante – Chelsea to Al-Ittihad, free
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a frustrating, injury hit season at Chelsea, N’Golo Kante opted to leave the club after a successful spell in London in which he won numerous trophies and became a fan favourite.
Kante has largely put his injury problems behind him, playing 16 league games so far this season but Al-Ittihad, who also have Karim Benzema and Fabinho, have endured a disappointing campaign and currently sit seventh.
Fabinho – Liverpool to Al-Ittihad, £40 million
Embed from Getty ImagesKante was not the only defensive midfield player that Al-Ittihad opted to sign from the Premier League last summer, with Fabinho also heading to Saudi from Liverpool.
The 30-year-old has played 15 times in the league but his performances have failed to help to mount a title push for Al-Ittihad, who have underachieved this season.
Allan Saint-Maximin – Newcastle to Al-Ahli, £23 million
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Newcastle winger found himself down the pecking order under Eddie Howe and opted for a move to Saudi side Al-Ahli last summer. The 26-year-old has been in fabulous form this season, showcasing the skills and dribbling ability which made him so popular in the Premier League while assisting eight times and scoring three goals.
Kalidou Koulibaly – Chelsea to Al-Hilal, £17 million
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former Napoli defender’s move to Chelsea did not work out as he had hoped and the 32-year-old moved to Al-Hilal after just a season in London.
His move to Saudi Arabia has worked out much better though, with his side sitting top of the league and Koulibaly being a key part of that, playing 16 times and impressing with his defensive performances.
