The St. Petersburg club edged out Bayern and Roma in this metric.
In recent seasons, Saudi Arabia has attracted talented players from European clubs, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nasr has become a catalyst for major transfers. A lot of money has been spent to attract star players from Europe, and some clubs have made money from it.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 clubs that have received the most profit from transfers to this wealthy country.
10. Roma
In two years, Roma sold three players to the Saudi League. Roger Ibanyes reportedly moved to Al-Ahli for €23 million for the 2023/24 season. The following year, the former Saudi Arabian player moved to Al-Titihad for €12 million, and Joau Costa joined Al-Aitfaku for €9 million. 9. Fulham
Fulham striker Mitrovich, after a highly successful spell as a summer resident, scoring over 100 goals, moved to Al Khiliyah for £50 million. Mitrovich is the only player Fulham has sold to the Saudi Professional League, but the size of this deal itself has become one of the largest in our rankings, earning the club ninth place on the list.
7-8. Zenit
Zenit has also sold only one player from the Saudi Professional League, but it was a significant transfer. In 2019, the club signed Brazilian winger Malcom from Barcelona for £36 million, and four years later, he moved to Al Khiliyah. The transfer cost around £51.9 million, making the Brazilian the fourth most expensive signing in the history of the Saudi Professional League. 7-8. “Wolverhampton”
Wolverhampton’s most notable transfers to the Saudi Professional League were their recent move to the Saudi Professional League, with Ruben Neva leaving for £47 million in 2023. Then, the following season, they sold Daniel Podnsa to Al-Shabab for around £5 million, equal to Zenit on this list.
6. Liverpool
Liverpool appeared to be damaging their midfield, selling two key players to the Saudi Professional League in 2023. The most expensive acquisition was Fabinho, who moved to Al-Titihad in July for £40 million. Jordan Henderson also left for £12 million to join former Reds midfielder Stephen Jerrard, who was then the team’s head coach. However, Henderson didn’t take his strength into account – he criticized him for wanting to return to Europe. He first moved to Amsterdam, and is now restarting his career
English Premier League
Premier League 5. ChelseaIn 2023, Chelsea sold two players from the main squad to the Saudi Professional League: Eduar Mendi and Kalida Kulibali. The former moved to Al-Ahli for £16 million, and Kulibali moved to Al-Hilyal for £20 million. The following year, the “blue” made a brilliant transfer move, selling Angelo Gabriel to Al-Nasr for around £19 million, although Winger never played a single match for the team. Thus, the total amount of sales to Saudi Arabia reached £55 million.
4. Manchester City
City earned around £75 million from Saudi League sales, while all assets sold are still in good condition. Riyad Marez, always an energetic player in the attack, was the most expensive while in 2023 he signed a contract with Al-Ahli-30 million pounds was paid for him. Al-Nasr signed Emerik Lyaprat for £23.6 million in the same summer, then the following year acquired Joau Kansel for £21.2 million.
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Пари Сен-Жермен
PSG PSG
Пари Сен-Жермен PSG 2. “Port” “Porto” knows how to sell, so he shouldn’t be surprised at his abilities. The club sold all players worth 95 million pounds in the Saudi Professional League. The biggest acquisition was the move of attacking midfielder Otavio to Al-Nasr for 51.9 million pounds in 2023. A year later, Brazilian striker Gelleno moved to Al-Ahli for 43.2 million pounds. Since then, Porto have sent another player from Saudi Arabia back to Europe, signing Gabi Weiga from Al-Ahli, where the 23-year-old left CELTA in 2023.
1. Aston Villa
Villa made two expensive moves to Saudi Arabia, becoming the second and third highest-cost signings in league history. A long-running affair with John Fool in January ended the striker’s move to Al-Nasr for £71 million. This came six months after Moss moved to Al-Theithad for just over £50 million. However, Duran then panicked and refused to live in Saudi Arabia. It seems this guy doesn’t respect anyone at all.
We didn’t paint the entire top 20, which Transfermarkt provided, so here it is for your convenience.
Would you like to play for Saudi Arabia?
Malk
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