The Saudi Arabia Division 1 Goal: Attracting the World’s Top Players

The Saudi Roshn League is setting its sights on landing the top 100 players globally within the upcoming three years, with rumors swirling about the arrival of new talents in the Mercato next season. European clubs have commenced offering their players after negotiations with Saudi League clubs, as detailed in a feature by the Spanish publication Marca.

Having kickstarted their international integration by securing the services of Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo in January 2023, the Saudi Arabia Division 1 league has since welcomed eminent stars from the Premier League like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte, Neymar, and Ivan Rakitic.

Following a hiatus in the 2024 Winter Mercato, Saudi football is gearing up for substantial deals with marquee names, prompting close scrutiny from European clubs eager to observe the Roshan League’s next moves in enhancing competition allure.

Recent weeks have seen a flurry of European teams descending upon Riyadh to exhibit their players, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Betis sending their managers or representatives to the Saudi capital. Player agent firms have also flocked to Riyadh, eyeing lucrative deals for their clients, including certain Real Madrid individuals.

FC Barcelona is contemplating offloading high-earning players such as Robert Lewandowski and Rafinha to Saudi League outfits due to their hefty wages. However, a stumbling block for Barcelona and other clubs loaning out players lies in the distribution of funds, with most revenues channeled towards the players rather than the parent team.

Meanwhile, Manchester United is reportedly dangling up to seven players in front of various Saudi teams, with recent speculation from “Marca” hinting at Carlos Casemiro’s proximity to a move to Saudi Arabia.

In addition to Casemiro, luminaries like David de Gea, Luka Modric, and Lewandowski are purportedly on the radar to join the Saudi Arabia Division 1 league ranks come the upcoming summer transfer window.

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Mohamed Suez

Meet Mohamed Suez, a die-hard Al-Hilal fan and one of our passionate contributors. Hailing from the football-mad nation of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed's articles are a heartfelt tribute to the triumphs and tribulations of his beloved club. As an Al-Hilal insider, Mohamed offers readers an intimate look into the fan culture, historic moments, and the unwavering loyalty that defines being a supporter of the "Blue Wave."