There is no end in sight to the spending spree that stunned the football world last year, with more big names set to move to the Middle East in 2024
It turned out that Cristiano Ronaldo was just the start. Saudi Arabian football made waves earlier this time last year when Al-Nassr signed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner – but it was nothing compared to the tidal wave generated by the subsequent £700 million ($870m) summer spending spree that saw the likes of Karim Benzema and Neymar join Ronaldo in the Middle East.
With Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) both taking over and providing huge financial backing to four of the country's biggest clubs – Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad – the scale of the project became abundantly clear.
Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League's director of football, is not expecting the January transfer window to be "very busy", arguing that most of the competition's teams now "have what they need". However, the former Chelsea technical director admitted that any attempts to make "additions of the highest level" will be fully supported.
So, which high-profile players might be targeted this winter? And what are the SPL's chances of pulling off more major coups? GOAL breaks it all down…
GettyCasemiro (Man Utd)
Last summer, the idea of Manchester United selling Casemiro would have been inconceivable. The Brazil international was coming off the back of a fantastic debut season in England, having had a transformative effect on Erik ten Hag's team following his shock arrival from Real Madrid.
Many United players are struggling this term, which hasn't helped the defensive midfielder's cause, but time appears to have caught up with the 31-year-old, who was being overrun with alarming ease and regularity before picking up a hamstring strain that's kept him out of action since October.
Hardly surprising, then, there is mounting speculation of a winter-window move to Saudi Arabia, which would appear to be mutually beneficial for everyone involved. Casemiro has nothing left to prove at this level, while United could clearly do with a straightforward sale after struggling to clear dead wood last summer.
AdvertisementGettyKevin De Bruyne (Man City)
Kevin De Bruyne is unlikely to be going anywhere in January. The Belgian's sole focus is on working his way back to full fitness after his recent injury woe, while Manchester City are looking forward to having their most creative player back at full strength for the second half of the season.
However, the Saudi Arabian interest in De Bruyne is very real and seems certain to materialise into a move sooner rather than later. It's already been claimed that Al-Nassr's dream is to have the attacking midfielder providing crosses and through-balls for Cristiano Ronaldo, while second-tier side Al-Qadsiah are also reportedly lining up an bold summer bid for the 32-year-old should they secure promotion to the SPL.
GettyBruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Could the PIF really sign the current Manchester United captain? It seems improbable – for now at least. Fernandes may be regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world but he's not yet won any major honours since arriving at Old Trafford (unless you count the Carabao Cup?!). It's, therefore, hard to envisage him leaving 'The Theatre of Dreams' without having achieved any of his own.
Still, it has been claimed that Fernandes is the PIF's next big transfer target and there's no denying that he has cut a frustrated figure for the majority of the past three months. His captaincy credentials have also been repeatedly questioned and he might well decide that his hopes of winning titles would be best served by moving elsewhere.
However, it would be a huge shock if Fernandes decided to leave – and for Saudi Arabia, in particular – during the January window. If United don't improve, though, between now and the end of the season, the 29-year-old will have a big call to make this summer on how best to spend the remainder of his career.
Getty ImagesGabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Speculation was rife that Gabriel Magalhaes might leave Arsenal last summer, with Real Madrid and several Saudi Pro League sides said to have been interested in the Brazilian. However, Mikel Arteta insisted that he had no interest in selling a player that had become a staple of his defence.
Nothing has changed in that regard. Gabriel remains utterly integral to Arsenal's hopes of winning this season's Premier League, but that is unlikely to dissuade the Saudi sides, particularly as the Gunners are rumoured to be interested in Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.
