The Saudi soccer market is abuzz with the heat of the summer. During the transfer window, Saudi clubs spared no expense in attracting reinforcements, which made the European giants like an enemy. With the official closure of the transfer window on Friday (8), the European giants of the clubs temporarily breathed a sigh of relief. It is reported that the two Saudi clubs before the deadline, still trying to sign Mohammed Shahna and Chaton Sinzu, the two major Premier League stars, but ultimately failed to do so, according to statistics, Saudi clubs in the summer transfer window invested a total of 780 million pounds (about 7.8 billion Hong Kong dollars) for the attraction of reinforcements.
Data from the authoritative website Transfer Market shows that Saudi clubs have invested a total of £780 million in transfers this summer, 87% of which came from the four major clubs (Hilal, Ainas, Ittihad, and Jeddah Al-Ali) under the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF). Among them, Hilal, which signed stars such as Nima, Alexandre Mizouwick and Rubin Neves, dominated the market, investing more than 300 million pounds (about 3 billion Hong Kong dollars) and becoming the biggest buyer in the summer.
British media broke the news that Ittihad was still actively pushing for a £200 million (about HK$2 billion) acquisition of Mohamed Sanaa before the end of the transfer window, but Liverpool was adamant about not letting him go, and Ittihad is expected to make a comeback in January next year. Ittifaq, coached by Sherratt, also negotiated with United at the last minute to sign Chaton Sinzu on a rent-and-buy basis, but due to a breakdown in negotiations, ended up acquiring Ivory Coast wing forward Dimaregre on a four-year deal for 8 million pounds (about HK$80 million).
Europe's top coaches, such as Gopp and Schmoney, have expressed concern that the Saudi league transfer window, which ends later than the major European leagues, could trigger a crisis of poaching of key players. However, Paris Saint-Germain president Eckhardt Richelieu said, "I'm not worried about Saudi Arabia posing a threat to the European leagues, Europe has the best tournaments, clubs, coaches and players, and we don't need to be concerned about things outside of Europe."
Overview of Saudi Arabia's landing stars
Hilal Acquisition:
Nima (Paris Saint-Germain), Ghoulibani (Chelsea), Rubin Nieves (Wolves), Alexandre Mizouvec (Fulham), Milan Govesavić (Lazio), Margan (Sinn Féin), Yessinipauno (Sivir).
Jeddah Ali Acquisition:
Gabriele Vega (Cherda), Roberto Fermino (Liverpool), Marlies (Manchester City), Kissell (Barcelona), Eduardo Aventis (Chelsea), Sint Maximin (Newcastle), Rodrigo Ibanez (Roma).
Etihad Acquisition:
Binschmar (Real Madrid), Nicolajandi (Chelsea), Fabrizio (Liverpool), Zuda (Zloty).
Ainas Acquisition:
Shadiovanni (Bayern Munich), Naboldi (Manchester City), Alex Dinis (Manchester United), Odavio Emerson (Porto), Bossovic (Inter Milan), Schoelkopfenner (Lens).
Ittefaq Acquisition:
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Werner Dummett (Paris Saint-Germain), Demarègre (Ewarton), Jack Huntley (Bruges), Mussadibili (Lyon)
Ashby Acquisition:
