Saudi dealmakers are targeting 50 prime-age foreign signings this summer, with big changes expected after the 2026 World Cup, according to The Pitch Prospect.
A handful of older stars are also on the shortlist to apply from the Middle East before this summer.
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Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Vinicius Junior and Robert Lewandowski are among the main targets.
Saudi Pro League officials launched an exploratory investigation into Salah after he revealed his relationship with Arne Slot had broken down following the draw against Leeds in December.
Liverpool have no plans to sell Salah this winter and three Saudi clubs – Al Hilal, NEOM FC and Al Qadsiah – have all been made aware of it.
Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo has a long-standing relationship with Salah and will be one of the driving forces behind the timing of a formal move, although interested clubs have so far been able and required to approach the Salah camp directly.
Liverpool insist that Salah will let his contract expire by the summer of 2027, but a departure in 2026 could still be beneficial for all parties, particularly if the Anfield club sign a right-wing attacker.
Al Ittihad saw a £150m bid for Salah rejected in the summer of 2023 and could also reignite their interest in the Egyptian.
Although a new approach has not yet been taken, the potential departures of N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Karim Benzema this summer could result in a significant shake-up.
Fenerbahce have made former Chelsea midfielder Kante an offer to leave this winter but Al Ittihad are reluctant to sanction a mid-season exit despite the France midfielder being a free agent at the end of the season.
Back for Bruno
Al Ittihad is also one of three clubs considering a move for Manchester United captain Fernandes.
The Jeddah-based side made contact with Fernandes in the summer, as did Al Hilal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. Fernandes has a €60 million release clause, which applies to non-Premier League clubs.
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Man United sources insist they want to keep Fernandes and he remains part of their long-term plans.
But the Portugal international told Canal 11 in December he felt “hurt” because he felt the club wanted to sell him to Saudi Arabia.
Fernandes had agreed terms of around £700,000 a week before deciding the timing of a potential move to Saudi Arabia was not right from both a footballing and family perspective.
Saudi dealmakers have not given up on signing Fernandes this summer and dialogue remains open, although sources close to the player emphasize that no decision will be made before the World Cup.
Saudi Pro League recruiters have also not been deterred by reports that Fernandes will prioritize staying in Europe.
Brand new free agent
A long-term target since the summer of 2023, Casemiro will be a free agent at the end of the season after confirming on Thursday he would be leaving Man United.
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The Pitch Prospect understands that the Red Devils have made the decision not to trigger a one-year option or offer the Brazilian a new contract on reduced terms.
Al Qadsiah, managed by Brendan Rodgers, and Al Ittihad have both expressed interest.
However, most Saudi Pro League clubs have been reluctant to meet Casemiro’s salary demands in the past as he turns 34 next season.
A strategic shift has taken place in Saudi Arabia as clubs are encouraged to use central funds of up to €2 billion per season for younger players.
The money is allocated to the clubs based on an assessment of their needs and is not divided equally. It must be used for transfer fees, broker commissions and wages.
The high-priced signings of older players are usually those that attract new audiences or, as in the case of Fernandes, hold onto the Portuguese market.
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Post-Ronaldo plans
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to leave Al Nassr in the summer of 2027 and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could potentially retire from football.
And even if he extends for another year, plans are being made to avoid a sharp drop in global interest if the former United attacker eventually leaves the Saudi Pro League.
Another idea is to keep Ronaldo as an owner in Saudi Arabia and increase his current 15 percent stake in Al Nassr.
Other destinations in Saudi Arabia
Several other Premier League names are also being considered by Saudi clubs, including Aston Villa duo Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana, as well as Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
Al Nassr is seen as a real contender for Martinelli, with Arsenal open to a sale as Andrea Berta seeks a new left winger in their starting XI for the 2026/27 season.
Martinelli had no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia last summer and it remains to be seen whether he will change his mind after the 2026 World Cup.
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Outside the Premier League, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. is the most high-profile target.
Al Ahli are expected to receive significant central funding to try and complete a deal if the Brazil international is encouraged to do so.
Vini Jr. has put contract negotiations with Real on hold due to a failed relationship with former coach Xabi Alonso. But Real now hope that Alonso’s departure will allow him to put new terms on paper.
Talks between Vini Jr.’s agency, Roc Nation Sports, and senior Saudi officials are ongoing and date back over a year.
Although he continues to publicly reiterate his commitment to Real, The Pitch Prospect has learned that Saudi has privately been reassured that a transfer is possible at a later date.
Vini Jr has been offered a five-year deal worth at least €1bn, while Real are suddenly forced to urgently consider an extension or sale, with the 25-year-old set to have just one year left on his current contract by the end of the season.
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Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski also has concrete options for Saudi Arabia and the MLS.
The 37-year-old has made it clear to suitors that he wants to focus on Barca and, for his part, has not ruled out extending his contract with the club again.
But as it stands, Lewandowski will be a free agent at the end of the season and Barca are actively looking for new strikers, with both Atlético Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Levante’s Etta Eyong on the radar.
Chicago FC is one MLS team said to be interested in Lewandowski, while Saudi teams Al Ittihad and Al Shabab are monitoring the situation.
Diriyah FC could also be a club to keep an eye on, but any approach is dependent on promotion to the Saudi Pro League. Former Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is leading Diriyah’s recruitment.
It is currently impossible for Diriyah to make any meaningful contact with Lewandowski while they remain in Saudi Arabia’s second division, but well-informed Saudi sources have made it clear that Diriyah will receive a significant budget if they reach the Saudi Pro League due to the importance of the project, which goes far beyond just football.
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The Pitch Prospect can also reveal that several Saudi clubs are also undergoing a new phase of privatization and that in the long term, all four PIF-controlled clubs – Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – are expected to have new owners.
Sources have told The Pitch Prospect that PIF ownership should only be a medium-term solution in 2023 and Al Hilal is expected to be the first of the four clubs to be sold to a new private investor, with the Saudi Sports Ministry currently working on an ownership change.