Saudi Arabian clubs are preparing an unprecedented offensive to sign 50 European football stars, with Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr. and Bruno Fernandes among the main market targets. The strategy, as revealed talkSPORTseeks to capture figures at the highest point of their careers and promises to alter the balance of forces in the Premier League and other important leagues.
The Saudi Pro League has identified a long list of footballers that includes Mohamed Salah, current Liverpool striker, and Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United captain. Along with them, names like Casemiro, Vinicius Junior and Robert Lewandowski appear. This initiative has the financial support of the Saudi government and the coordination of Michael Emenalo, sports director of the league, who has a relationship with Salah for years.
As reported by journalist Ben Jacobs, a specialist in the transfer market, in his note, the Saudi offensive will intensify after the 2026 World Cup, although some important movements could be completed before next European summer. The strategy is not only limited to young players, as it also contemplates incorporating more experienced footballers who can attract new markets and audiences.
The case of Mohamed Salah occupies a central place in Saudi plans. After publicly admitting that his relationship with coach Arne Slot was broken, the Egyptian forward was the subject of interest from Al Hilal, NEOM FC and Al Qadsiah. The Saudi clubs have already made preliminary consultations, although Liverpool insist that Salah will fulfill his contract until 2027. An exit in 2026 appears as a possibility, especially if the club reinforces its attack on the right sector. In 2023, Al Ittihad submitted a £150m offer for Salah, which was rejected.. According to the same medium, This club could return to the fray if circumstances allow.
Meanwhile, the situation of Bruno Fernandes It has also generated interest. The Portuguese midfielder, who It has a termination clause of 60 million euros for teams outside the Premier Leaguewas contacted last summer by Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr. Although Manchester United assures that Fernandes remains in their plans, the player himself admitted feeling “hurt” at the perception that the club was considering transferring him to Saudi Arabia. According to talkSPORTFernandes reached an agreement for around 700 thousand pounds per week, but ruled out the transfer for sporting and family reasons. The sources consulted by the British media indicate that conversations with the Saudi clubs remain open and a final decision is not expected until after the World Cup.
CasemiroBrazilian midfielder, will become a free agent at the end of the season following Manchester United’s decision not to renew his contract. Teams such as Al Qadsiah, managed by Brendan Rodgers, and Al Ittihad have already expressed interest. However, the allocation of central funds in the Saudi Pro League currently favors the recruitment of younger footballers, with budgets of up to €2 billion per season distributed according to the needs of each club.
The renewal of squads in Saudi Arabia is also conditioned by the possible departure of figures such as N’Golo Kanté, Fabinho and Karim Benzema. The former Chelsea midfielder received an offer from Fenerbahçe, although Al Ittihad prefers to retain him until the end of the season. In the case of Benzema and Fabinho, eventual departures could accelerate new additions from Europe.
The Saudi strategy contemplates the impact of the eventual withdrawal of Cristiano Ronaldowho could leave Al Nassr in 2027 or extend their relationship for another year. As part of plans to maintain the league’s international appeal, Offering him a role as owner and increasing his shareholding in the club are being evaluated.
Other Premier League players such as Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Gabriel Martinelli . The latter has been tipped as a candidate for Al Nassr, while Arsenal are studying alternatives for their left winger ahead of the 2026/27 season. Martinelli ruled out a move to Saudi Arabia in 2025, although his position could change after the World Cup.
Outside of England, the most ambitious goal is Vinicius JuniorReal Madrid forward. Al Ahli has state financial backing to try to seduce the Brazilian footballer, who interrupted renewal negotiations after a breakup with his former coach, Xabi Alonso. talkSPORT He detailed that the conversations between the agency that represents Vinicius and senior Saudi leaders have been ongoing for more than a year. Although the player has reiterated his commitment to Real Madrid, the club is seeking to accelerate a contractual extension or evaluate a possible sale, given that the current contract expires at the end of next season. Saudi Arabia has presented Vinicius with a five-year proposal valued at at least 1 billion euros.
The Polish attacker Robert Lewandowskiwho ends his contract with Barcelona at the end of the season, also appears among the targets of Saudi Arabia and the MLS. The player has expressed his preference to continue with the Catalan club, although Barcelona is exploring alternatives in the market, such as that of the Argentine Julián Álvarez. For their part, teams such as Chicago FC, Al Ittihad and Al Shabab remain attentive to the evolution of their contractual situation. A possible interest from Diriyah FC is contingent on the club’s promotion to the Saudi first division, which would enable a reinforced budget for its sporting project.
The transformation of Saudi football is also advancing at an institutional level. Several clubs are facing a new stage of privatization, and the four main teams controlled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), including Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, are expected to change owners in the medium term. Authorities from the Ministry of Sports are working to make Al Hilal the first club transferred to a private investor, thus complying with the roadmap drawn up by the government. According to the British media, state ownership was conceived as a temporary measure to boost the league while the opening to private capital was consolidated.
