Only 23 million euros were spent by the Saudi league teams in the January transfer window that closed yesterday (Tuesday).
For comparison, last summer the Saudi teams spent a whopping 950 million euros to entice senior players to come to the country, and higher sums of money were also invested in the January 2023 window.
The data shows that the investment of the Saudi league has decreased drastically compared to the summer (41 times) and also as mentioned compared to the previous January.
Only one player was paid a transfer fee, this is Renan Lodi who previously played for Atlético Madrid, and was purchased by Al Hilal.
22 more players joined on a free transfer, and only nine teams (out of 18) made changes to the roster.
The most recognizable name that arrived in Saudi Arabia during the window is Ivan Rakitic, ex-Barcelona.
The Croatian midfielder, who will be 36 years old in March, came to Al Shabab on a free transfer and is expected to earn around 10 million euros per season.
The main issue that concerns Saudi football is that of Karim Benzema.
On the one hand, there are increasing reports of the French striker's desire to leave Al Ittihad, and his name is even being linked to major clubs in Europe, but on the other hand, it is not certain that he will soon give up the big money (200 million euros per season, according to reports).
Henderson next to the Ajax shirt, photo: EPA
So what actually led to the significant retreat in investments?
Is it possible that Saudi Arabia decided to spend less money on football?
Not sure at all.
It seems that this is a temporary stop, and that in the summer we are again expected to see the Saudi teams offering large sums of money to players in order for them to come, especially players of an advanced age who are already past their prime and want to earn big money before the end of their careers.
However, it should be noted that senior players who signed in Saudi Arabia expressed their dissatisfaction with the level and the conduct in the country.
For example, Jordan Henderson, who signed with El Itifaq in the summer with great fanfare and for an astronomical contract, ran away after a few months and recently signed with Ajax.
His departure was mainly because he was not acclimatized in the Muslim country.
Benzema, photo: Getty Images
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Wives and families of other stars have also recently spoken out about difficulties in life in Saudi Arabia, and experts estimate that this has an effect on the desire for more players from Europe and South America to reach the Saudi league.
What is certain is that the last word has not yet been said from the Saudi side.
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