Let’s take a look at the latest Saudi Pro League transfer news. The Saudi Pro League has taken the football world by storm and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Plenty of players are going there for their last big paycheck while others actually want to take part in making the league more mainstream.
Despite the star power already at their disposal, the league is still hungry for more of the game’s biggest stars.
Saudi Pro League transfer news: 11 players the league will be hoping to add to its ranks this January
1. Mohammed Salah
Let’s begin with a player who was chased all summer by various Saudi clubs- Mohammed Salah. It’s not wrong to say the Egyptian would be a dream signing for the league to make, on par with the likes of Neymar and Ronaldo. Furthermore, given that he is a role model for Muslims around the globe, he would fit right in with the largely Muslim fanbase of whatever club he signs for.
Liverpool reportedly rejected a bid in excess of £150m for the winger in the summer and all signs point to more bids both in January and this coming summer. Given the great season Liverpool are currently having, the Saudi Pro League may have to wait a little longer to sign him.
2. Thomas Partey
Another player who knows a thing or two about the Islamic religion is next- Thomas Partey. The Arsenal midfielder confirmed his conversion to Islam due to his Moroccan girlfriend and may soon be taking his talents to a place his faith could flourish. Ever since signing Declan Rice, the Ghanaian’s days at the Emirates have seemed numbered. It was even reported that the Ghanaian had agreed to join Juventus in the summer.
The move never materialized and Partey remained a gunner but speculation surrounding his future has never gone away. The 30-year-old has endured an injury-hit campaign and even when he has featured, Mikel Arteta has often used him as a makeshift right-back. If he does decide to move in January, there would be no better place than the Middle East.
3. Casemiro
Another defensive midfielder who may be on the move is the one and only Casemiro. 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.
It’s a different story though this season as the 31-year-old’s age finally seems to be catching up to him. Add to that the issue of his ever-increasing injuries and you have a player United may benefit from letting go of for a good fee before it’s too late. There is mounting speculation of a move and it would seem to be beneficial to all involved given that the Brazilian has nothing left to prove and United evidently need the money.
4. Raphael Varane
The Frenchman also had an amazing last season at his new club and was arguably one of the best defenders in the league. This season though, he seems to have fallen down the pecking order with Ten Hag preferring Maguire and even 35 year old Jonny Evans over him. Talk about a slap in the face.
This has left the Frenchman very unhappy at Old Trafford and there is even talk of a falling out with the manager. The Saudi Pro League would be ready to sweep in for him in January if the opportunity presents itself which now looks increasingly possible. He would be another major notch for the league given his stellar pedigree.
5. Jadon Sancho
Speaking of falling out with Ten Hag, we can’t forget the player who has not featured for United since August for this very reason – Jadon Sancho. There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the Englishman’s future as it seems his relationship with his manager has now fully broken down. He is therefore unlikely to play for United again because he refused to apologize for his tweet directed at comments Ten Hag made about him after the Arsenal game.
Like sharks sensing blood in the water, the Middle East has been circling since with links to Al Ettifaq already reported. If he were to move to Saudi Arabia in January, it would be a massive coup for the league and help put to bed the rumors of it only being a retirement league.
5. Anthony Martial
Manchester United failed to get rid of their deadwood in the summer and this list just proves that as next up we have Anthony Martial. The former Golden Boy Award winner has never really looked anywhere near winning the Ballon d’Or as his contract clause stated. It’s actually a wonder he has survived so many managers at Old Trafford but his luck could finally be running out. With his contract up at the end of the season, it is unlikely we see him lace up for the Reds past this season, or maybe even past January.
United would obviously jump at the chance to make any money on a striker who has been injured more than he has played in the last few seasons. Given how woeful his loan spell at Sevilla was too, a switch to Saudi Arabia would make an awful lot of sense.
6. Luka Modric
Speaking of the ballon d’or, next on our list is the mercurial Luka Modric. He signed a one-year extension last summer but there is no guarantee he will see out the season at Madrid despite his love for the club. This comes because he has seen his chances in the team massively decrease due to the emergence of Bellingham and has expressed his displeasure with this turn of events. His agent has even gone ahead to admit that his client would be open to a move in January.
Since Bellingham can’t seem to stop scoring, it seems highly likely that Madrid may be about to say goodbye to one of their greatest-ever players. And with nothing left to prove in Europe, Saudi Arabia may be the perfect destination.
7. Thomas Muller
A player practically in the same position as Modric this season happens to be Thomas Muller. He has seen his role reduced drastically this season under Thomas Tuchel and while handling the situation like a professional, Müller has also admitted that he is annoyed.
“It’s also clear that it annoys me when I’m not on the pitch,” he admitted when quizzed on the issue.
Muller went on to state that he is not planning to retire before 2025 and given his contract is up next summer, Bayern may be angling to get some money for him while they still can. The Saudi Pro League would be the perfect place for all parties to get what they want.
8. David De Gea
Now, we have the hottest free agent on the market- David De Gea. He has been without a club for a few months now ever since he left Manchester United where Andre Onana took his place. Rumors were that he wanted a chance in Europe but given that he is still without a club, it may be time for Dave to make a tough decision on his future. With few options left, the financial strength of Saudi Pro League clubs, such as Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Al Ahli, has put him on their collective radar. We don’t think we’ll have to wait very long to find out where he ends up.
9. Presnel Kimpembe
Once regarded as one of Europe’s premier defenders, the Frenchman suffered a devastating Achilles injury which has kept him out of action since February.
At 28, his performances have been declining over the years and with this recent injury, he may find it hard to hit his apex ever again. A move to the Middle East could end up being just what the doctor ordered, setting him up for riches and allowing him to play first team football once again.
10. Luis Alberto
Lastly, we have Lazio’s long-standing servant Luis Alberto. They will obviously not want to part ways with him, but they ideally didn’t want to lose Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the summer either.
Given his age and contract situation in Rome, Alberto might fancy taking his talents to the Middle East. Al Nassr were reported to have shown interest in the summer and if we know anything about Saudi clubs, it’s that they never give up on a target once they have their sights set.
There are plenty of other players who may end up signing for the Saudi Pro League in January that we haven’t mentioned.
If there are any you’re able to think of, let us know in the comments.
