In the heart of the football world, a new era is unfolding as Middle Eastern clubs dive into the global football arena, making headlines with their remarkable signings and investments. It all started in 2008 when Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his UAE-based private-equity firm took over Manchester City. This ignited a wave of investments that reshaped the football landscape
Arabian countries left their mark through monumental deals. Notably, Qatar Sports Investments, affiliated with the nation's sovereign wealth fund, acquired Paris Saint-Germain in 2011. Their influence was further solidified with the acquisition of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2020. Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest player deals orchestrated by Arabian clubs in recent times
In the latter part of 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo made a significant move, transitioning from Manchester United to Al-Nassr. This transition was the result of a mutual decision between Ronaldo and his former Premier League team. The move not only marked a new chapter in his career but also established him then (now Neymar Jr.) as the highest-paid football player in the history of the sport
Karim Benzema, a prominent figure in Real Madrid's roster, is on the verge of making his debut for the Saudi club Al Ittihad. With an official two-year agreement in place, he also holds the option to extend for an additional season. The striker's impressive deal comes with a noteworthy annual net salary of €200 million, which encompasses both his playing contract and associated commercial endorsements, as reported by Fabrizio Romano
Neymar Jr, 31-year-old Brazilian holds the distinction of commanding the highest transfer fee ever paid for a football player, with Paris Saint-Germain shelling out a staggering USD 263 million to secure his services from FC Barcelona. According to market reports, the trend of considerable transactions continues as Al Hilal is said to have contributed around USD 102 million to acquire Neymar Jr from PSG
N'Golo Kante, a standout in Chelsea's lineup, is gearing up to join Al Ittihad after his transfer to the Saudi club. The midfielder's move has been formalized, and he is all set to embark on his journey with the Saudi team. Notably, Kante will share the pitch with Karim Benzema, creating a dynamic partnership that promises to capture the attention of football enthusiasts
Aymeric Laporte's future has taken a new trajectory as he has formally accepted a three-year contract with Al-Nassr, valued at €25 million per season. While the major components of the transfer are in place, the clubs are currently finalizing the remaining intricacies to solidify the move
Yassine Bono, a notable presence in Sevilla's ranks, is set to extend his football journey in the Saudi Pro League. The accomplished goalkeeper has taken a significant step by officially joining Al-Hilal. As per reports, Bono's annual earnings at the club are anticipated to be around €12 million, signifying both his talent and the club's commitment to assembling a competitive team
Liverpool's midfielder, Jordan Henderson, is poised to make his way to Saudi Arabia. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano reveals that a preliminary agreement has been established between Liverpool and Al Ettifaq regarding the transfer fee for Henderson. The player himself has already committed to a three-year contract with Al Ettifaq, the finalization of which occurred last month
Al Ittihad has set its sights on yet another Liverpool player, Fabinho, for a potential transfer. According to reports from Globo, all parties have successfully reached an agreement, and the move of the Brazilian international to Al-Ittihad is on the cusp of being concluded. Liverpool has given the green light to a £40 million offer for Fabinho, following the finalization of personal terms between the player and the club
Al Ahli is currently at the advanced stages of securing a deal for Roberto Firmino. While a three-year contract has been put forth, certain specifics are being ironed out through negotiations on the player's end before final approval, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. The Saudi team holds an optimistic outlook on the matter, anticipating the imminent introduction of Firmino and Edouard Mendy as their exciting new signings in the near future