Saudi Arabia have continued to dominate the transfer market with staggering football deals for top-rated footballers. Since the Cristiano Ronaldo breakthrough in 2022, the mass influx of European players into the Gulf State is not showing signs of slowing down, thanks to a heavy financial outlay.
There are projections the audacious Saudi football project might bear fruits soon due to the high number of quality stars poached from Europe since 2022. The transfer splurge has not been without a cost though. Staggering transfer fees have been paid.
Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and iconic footballer, moved to the Gulf State on a free transfer after terminating his Manchester United contract.
Since the Portuguese’s groundbreaking transfer move, most top transfer deals completed by Saudi clubs have been back-breaking ones with heavy financial costs.
From Neymar, Malcom, Otavio, and many others, not less than €30 million has been spent per head of the most expensive signings into the Saudi elite division. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 most expensive Saudi transfers of all time.
Neymar
Neymar’s 2023 transfer to Al-Hilal remains the most expensive Saudi transfer deal. Al-Hilal broke the bank to sign the Brazilian footballer for a staggering €90m transfer fee.
As things stand, it appears the deal was Saudi’s greatest gamble ever. Neymar made 2 appearances for Al-Hilal, scoring one goal before being grounded with an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Malcom
Second on the list of the most expensive Saudi transfers is Malcom’s deal. Again, Al-Hilal forked out a heavy sum to secure the services of the Brazilian footballer, who joined from Russian club Zenith Saint Petersburg.
Malcom was signed for €60m. Although a distant sum from Neymar’s €90, it was just enough to rack up a second spot on the rankings. He has made 31 league appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals with 6 assists.
Otavio
29-year-old Portuguese footballer, Otavio, is third on the list after signing for Al-Nassr for the same transfer fee as Malcom. The prolific attacking midfielder has tallied 29 Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Nassr, scoring 15 goals with 10 assists. He is contracted to the club until 2026.
Ruben Neves
Another Portuguese attacking midfielder, Ruben Neves, is ranking high on the chart of the most expensive Saudi transfers. Neves left Wolves in the Premier League in 2023, joining Al-Hilal for €55m. He has made only 4 league appearances for the club, with no goal or assist.
Moussa Diaby – €55m
Premier League Club, Aston Villa, have raked in a fortune from the transfer of Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad. The 2022-23 Saudi Pro League champions signed Diaby for a whooping €55m. Notably, Diaby’s transfer is the only deal completed this summer that has made it into the top 10 list.
Aleksander Mitrovic – €52.6m
Mitrovic’s 2023 switch from Fulham to Al-Hilal is sixth on the list of the most expensive Saudi football transfers. The Serbia international joined the Saudi Pro League champions on a deal worth €52.6m, signing a three-year contract. He has scored 28 goals in 28 Saudi Pro League matches with 5 assists.
Fabinho – €46.7m
Liverpool legend, Fabinho, is seventh on the chart after he completed a €46.7m transfer move to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in 2023. The 30-year-old has made 19 league appearances for Al-Ettifaq, scoring one goal with one assist.
Sergej Millinkovic-Savic – €40m
Former Lazio midfielder Sergej Millinkovic-Savic is seventh on the list. The Serbian footballer completed a transfer worth €40m from Lazio to Al-Nassr. He has made 30 league appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals with 11 assists.
Riyad Mahrez – €35m
Riyad Mahrez’s 2023 switch from Manchester City to Al-Hilal is among the most expensive Saudi transfers. The Algerian winger joined Al-Ahli for €35m, signing a three-year contract. He has scored 11 goals with 13 assists in 32 league appearances for the club.
Sadio Mane – €30m
Senegalese footballer and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane completes the top 10 list. Mane joined Al-Nassr from Bayern Munich for €30m, signing a three-year contract. He has tallied 32 league appearances for the club with 13 goals and 8 assists.
