On August 8th, Football Report published an article analyzing the shift in investment strategy within the Saudi League, now prioritizing the retention of existing star players over further signing European big names.
Three weeks into the Saudi summer transfer window, only the signing of Senegalese winger Moussa Diaby has exceeded €50 million. Other notable additions include Aubameyang, Nacho, and Bonaventura, a stark contrast to last year’s spending spree.
Football Report writes: “The root cause lies in Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, prompting a shift away from unlimited spending. Saudi Sports Minister Turki Al-Sheikh stated that the league’s recruitment strategy will no longer focus on acquiring top stars, instead prioritizing the development of the national team for the 2034 World Cup. This includes investing in youth academies, training facilities, and modernizing stadiums. To facilitate the development of young players, the number of foreign player registrations has increased from 8 to 10, with a requirement of 2 U21 players. The first-team roster size has been reduced from 30 to 25, while the U19 league has transitioned to U18, enabling younger players to compete at a higher level in the club’s youth leagues.”
Furthermore, Football Report adds: “Secondly, the ‘unsuitability’ of existing big names has emerged. Returning to the Premier League, Jordan Henderson revealed the inconvenience of life in Saudi Arabia, the impact of the hot climate on training and matches, and the lack of fan attraction in the league. Karim Benzema’s conflicts with the coaching staff have led to the dismissal of two managers, highlighting the concerns of senior stars about the league’s management. More surprisingly, despite boasting numerous first-team stars, both Riyadh Victory teams failed to dominate in the Asian Champions League, and Jeddah Union lost to Cairo National in the Club World Cup, a team with significantly less star power. These instances have somewhat dampened the enthusiasm for high-priced signings in the Saudi League this summer.”
Currently, the Saudi League is focusing on retaining existing top stars rather than signing new ones. This approach is seen as crucial to improving the league’s reputation as an undesirable destination. Additionally, new signings are restricted to players under 30, with the aim of achieving stability over the next few years and fostering the development of homegrown talent.
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