Kylian Mbappe and PSG have received mega offers for the forward to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal this summer in what could be the most expensive signing in the history of the sport.
It has already been a busy summer for Saudi Pro League clubs, who have been on a huge spending spree to try and grow the status of the league and have managed to attract some of Europe’s biggest talents.
And that looks set to continue, with Mbappe and a host of other big names continuing to be linked with moves to a number of Saudi clubs this summer.
Here are the biggest names who have been confirmed or are on the verge of joining the league this summer, as well as those who continue to be the subject of interest from Saudi clubs…
ALREADY JOINED
Karim Benzema
Embed from Getty ImagesKarim Benzema was the first big name to join the Saudi Pro League this summer, leaving Real Madrid after 14 successful years at the club which saw him win multiple league titles and Champions League trophies.
The reigning Ballon D’Or winner will now play his football for Al-Ittihad, where he is set to earn a whopping reported salary of £172m per year.
N’Golo Kante
Embed from Getty ImagesJoining Benzema at Al-Ittihad is former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante, who has left Stamford Bridge after an injury plagued final season at the club.
The 32-year-old will earn a reported £86.2m per year, waving goodbye to the Premier League after eight incredible years in the country.
Edouard Mendy
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother player who has left Chelsea this summer is goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who has signed for Al-Ahli. The Saudi club paid the Blues £16m for his services following three great years at the club which saw him play an instrumental role in winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Embed from Getty ImagesThe third Chelsea player to have left for Saudi this summer is defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who leaves west London having spent just one disappointing season at the club following his move from Napoli.
Koulibaly will earn a reported £30m per year following his £17m move to Al-Hilal, and will be hoping for a more successful spell at his new club than his previous one.
Ruben Neves
Embed from Getty ImagesPerhaps one of the more surprising moves given he is only 26 and has long made his desire to play Champions League football clear, Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves will also be playing his football in Saudi Arabia next season.
Al-Hilal paid a significant sum of £47m to Wolves to persuade them to part ways with their Portuguese star, and is certainly a massive coup for the Saudi Pro League given his undoubted interest from elsewhere.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter eight years at Lazio, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has left Italy for Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal to partner Neves in midfield.
Al-Hilal have invested heavily in their central midfield pairing this summer, also splashing out £34m on the 28-year-old in another big acquisition for the Saudi Pro League.
Roberto Firmino
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool fan favourite Roberto Firmino has bid a fond farewell to the club after winning almost all there is to win under Jurgen Klopp.
Despite having interest from elsewhere, Firmino has opted for Al-Ahli where he will earn a tidy £17m a year for his services.
Marcelo Brozovic
Embed from Getty ImagesMarcelo Brozovic will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr after leaving Inter Milan.
Brozovic established himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in Europe during his time with the Serie A side and was part of the group which made a memorable run to the Champions League final last season while also winning the league in 2021.
Seko Fofana
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Neves and Milinkovic-Savic, Seko Fofana heads to Saudi Arabia when he is seemingly at his peak given he’s just 28.
Fofana joins Brozovic and Ronaldo at Al-Nassr from Lens after a brilliant season which saw them finish second in Ligue 1.
Jota
Embed from Getty ImagesAttracting veteran and more experienced talent is one thing, but key to the Saudi Pro League’s success will be luring young players away from Europe, which is exactly what they’ve done with Jota.
The 24-year-old had a brilliant spell at Celtic and despite interest from elsewhere, joins Al-Ittihad where he will link up with Benzema and Kante.
TALKS ONGOING
Jordan Henderson
Embed from Getty ImagesJordan Henderson looks set to sign for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq having completed his medical with the club, which will come with a significant wage increase for the England midfielder.
It is a move which has attracted widespread criticism due to Henderson’s previous activism in which he has expressed strong support for LGBTQIA+ rights, given homosexuality remains illegal in Saudi Arabia.
Riyad Mahrez
Embed from Getty ImagesAl-Ahli have agreed a £30m deal for the Manchester City winger, who looks set to depart the club after a hugely successful spell which ended with winning the treble last season.
The 32-year-old would become one of the biggest names yet to join the Saudi Pro League and is a big coup for the league’s hopes given he is still playing near the top of his game.
Kylian Mbappe
Embed from Getty ImagesMbappe would make himself the richest footballer in the world should he accept the almost unbelievable offer from Al-Hilal.
PSG are keen to sell the 24-year-old, believing he has his heart set on Real Madrid, and Mbappe’s future career plans will no doubt be tested by the offer he has been given. For the Saudi Pro League, attracting one of the best players in the world would be a monumental step.
Hakim Ziyech
Embed from Getty ImagesHakim Ziyech looked set for a move to Ronaldo’s Al Nassr earlier this summer before a knee problem detected in his medical scuppered the move.
But moving to one of the Saudi Pro League’s clubs still remains an option for Ziyech this summer should he be able to get past his medical issues.
Bernardo Silva
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile a deal does not appear in the works for Bernardo Silva to head to Saudi, the Man City midfielder has been the subject of continued interest from the Saudi Pro League, particularly Al-Hilal.
Fabinho
Embed from Getty ImagesLike team-mate Henderson, Liverpool midfielder Fabinho looks set to head to Saudi Arabia by joining Al-Ittihad having all but finalised a move to the country.
Paul Pogba
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother player on the radar of a Saudi Pro League club is former Manchester United and current Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
The 30-year-old has endured a nightmare with injuries recently but is attracting interest from Al-Ahli, though he could opt to stay and fight for his place at Juve.
Allan Saint-Maximin
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving found himself out of favour at Newcastle, Allan Saint-Maximin looks set for a move to a fellow Saudi PIF owned club Al-Ahli.
Known for his dazzling skills and trickery, Saint-Maximin will bring plenty of excitement to the Saudi Pro League.
