The SPL has shifted from last year’s extensive talent acquisition—where 97 players were signed—to a more strategic approach this season. The Saudi transfer window opened on July 18 and will close on September 2, aligning with European leagues. This change indicates a focus on filling specific gaps and enhancing overall team quality rather than a blanket acquisition strategy.
For this past transfer season the Saudi Professional League rocked the global football world when four clubs under the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli—spent over $908 million.
According to numerous reports, although the spending budget will be even larger this year a significant portion of it will go to fulfilling standing contracts as well as new signings. The focus is on sustainable growth for the league and, according to Adam Leventhal writing for The Athletic:
“The Saudi Pro League (SPL) announced three “key priorities” for the new season, which kicks off next month, after meetings with all 18 clubs to discuss targets and “squad mapping”. They also took advice from leagues around the world aiming for better practice, to improve transparency and efficiency. Splurging cash unnecessarily wasn’t one of the recommendations. Instead, there’s an unashamed commitment to a centralised approach to transfers, whereby everything has to go to the people at the top for approval, but there are some solid principles.”
According to Leventhal, the three areas of focus are:
“The next priority in this transfer window is that strategic approach to acquisitions, which includes a commitment to “secure top talent” to “address clubs’ technical gaps”. Rather than hoarding big names who might not fit together as a team, they want the jigsaw to click into place. Sustainability completes the trio of pillars. Yes, “players are signed for technical needs” and “supported for success” but above all they need to be “fairly valued”, according to the same league spokesperson.”
Other priorities are youth and home grown talent. Despite the prominent role of 39-year old Ronaldo, the SPL has already lowered the average age of signings from 29 to 27 with hopes to keep pushing the age down. New rules for this 2024-25 season allow clubs top have 10 foreign players (up from 8) but the two added players must have been born after 2003. Also, rosters have been cut from 30 to 25 and Saudi Arabia’s U19 league is now a U18 league so top local prospects can move to the SPL earlier.
As Leventhal reports, “Like any leading global league, we want to see the best homegrown players alongside existing and new global talent — (this is) all part of our ambitious transformation,” the SPL spokesperson said. “Our goal is to build on the signings of last summer, (but considering the priorities) clubs will only sign players for spots that are vacant and based on the squad’s needs.”
Another focus is privatization with six clubs now in play.
While there will be further splash signings for the SPL, it’s strategy will continue to evolve and remain closely coordinated at the very top. Sports minister Turki Al Saud has said that checks and balances are in place to underpin the SPL’s transfer strategy and that “all clubs know how much they have” for the current window. Signings of players need to be agreed with (the club’s) CEO, technical director and manager,” he said. “Then you must come to us — clubs fill in a form and send it to us — and we must agree for you to go and negotiate with a player.”
To read more, click here, here and here.
