12 major names Saudi Pro League could target in January – from Salah to Sancho
The Saudi Arabian Pro League is already getting their cheque books out for another transfer onslaught.
In the summer, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) backed league managed to sway the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar, Jordan Henderson and many more to the Middle East. In the January transfer window last year, they made the fiercest of statements by signing Cristiano Ronaldo, whose contract was torn up by Manchester United in the wake of his shocking interview with Piers Morgan.
A year may have passed, but the lucrative division’s appetite in establishing itself as one of the top competitions in global football has not waned, with a host of Premier League superstars said to be in the wealthy nation’s sights. Here, Daily Star Sport has a gander at 12 huge names that have already been linked with the division.
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Mohamed Salah
In the final days of the recent summer transfer window, Liverpool received an enormous £150million bid for Mohamed Salah. Considering Jurgen Klopp’s side are right in the title race and the Egyptian superstar’s thirst for breaking goal records, this move would likely be an extremely difficult one for the division to pull off.
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Jadon Sancho
Before his public falling out with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, Sancho was linked with a move to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. With a return to the United line-up looking unlikely, the England winger may relish the prospect of working with the Liverpool legend and getting some much needed game-time.
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Thomas Partey
His season may have been disrupted by injuries, but with Declan Rice starring for the Gunners since his £104m move from West Ham, Partey’s absence has been less felt this season. The Ghanaian was linked with a move to Juventus in the summer, but opted to remain at the Emirates. With his first-team hopes looking rather bleak, a move to Saudi Arabia could be enticing.
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Kylian Mbappe
After being snubbed by Lionel Messi, the Saudi Pro League bid a world record £259m for Kylian Mbappe. However, the Frenchman reportedly refused to meet with Al-Hilal officials. With reports in Spain claiming Real Madrid have cooled their interest in the World Cup winner, Saudi may try their luck at swaying the young star forward again.
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Luka Modric
The brilliance of Jude Bellingham coupled with the dynamism of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga has seen Luka Modric limited to five starts in 14 La Liga matches. At the age of 38, the years may have finally caught up to the legendary Croatian. One final big money move could be too tempting to turn down. Moreover, his agent Borja Couce recently said: "The player has several offers, from a club from the capital and another club. Modric is currently thinking about Real Madrid but the idea of him moving to the Saudi Pro League is possible if the offer is suitable."
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Casemiro
While the experienced midfielder was a strong presence for United in his debut campaign at Old Trafford last season, the 31-year-old is showing signs of physical wear and tear and is one of the club’s top earners, earning a purported £300,000 per week. Reports from Relovo in November claimed he has at least considered the prospect of a move to the Middle East.
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Bruno Fernandes
In November, Spanish outlet Fichajes claimed the Saudi Pro League were weighing up a whopping £87m bid for the Manchester United captain. While this move could be too difficult in January, with struggling Erik ten Hag reluctant to lose a proven goalscorer, it would not be the first time Saudi has shocked everybody.
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Anthony Martial
In the 2022 January transfer window, United loaned the former Golden Boy winner to Sevilla and people thought that was that for the Frenchman. However, nearly two years later, Martial is still a United player. Reports from the summer suggested a £47m move from the Middle East was in the pipeline but a transfer did not materialise. Considering the low mood at United, do not be surprised if he becomes a target for the Middle East again
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Richarlison
Reports from the Telegraph suggested the Tottenham forward was another target for Saudi. After a successful spell in Merseyside with Everton things have never quite clicked for the Brazilian in North London, despite him being highly regarded by manager Ange Postecoglou.
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Raphael Varane
Similarly to Casemiro, Varane is one of the highest earners at Old Trafford. However, after reportedly falling out with Ten Hag, the ex-Real Madrid defender has found himself behind Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans in recent weeks. Reports claimed he was contemplating a move to the Middle East for next summer, but with the Frenchman seemingly in a similar wilderness to Sancho, a move could be sped up if an offer from Saudi is made
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Luis Alberto
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claimed the Liverpool flop was sent a ‘lucrative’ offer from Saudi in the summer. With his contract expiring in July 2025 and Lazio having a track record of letting their key players go for the right price, Saudi could try their luck with the Spanish attacker again.
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Piotr Zielinski
He was the heartbeat of Napoli’s Serie A triumph, but with the Neapolitan giants struggling, Saudi Arabia could take advantage of their troubles and poach the midfield genius. Italian outlet Mediaset even reported the Polish international would have moved to the Middle East, were it not for his wife reportedly being no interested with the prospect of living in Saudi.
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- Saudi Pro League
- Premier League
- Mohamed Salah
- Liverpool FC
- Manchester United FC
- Jadon Sancho
- Kylian Mbappe
- Arsenal FC
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