Saudi Pro League targeting nine world-class Premier League players including three undroppable Liverpool stars

The Saudi Pro League is preparing for another huge spending spree this summer, as they look to continue ruffling the feathers of the European giants with statement signings.

The Saudi Pro League captured the world's attention when they secured the signing of the most followed human in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, and continued to grow the division's presence with significant signings last summer.

In the summer of 2023, SPL transfer spending was second only to the £1.1 billion spent by the Premier League.

However, despite the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar Jr, Sadio Mane, and Riyad Mahrez making the move to Saudi, the attendance of some matches has still been considerably lower than the European leagues.

The mixed success of the 23/24 season doesn't appear to have disheartened the SPL, with a source revealing to ESPN some of the league's summer targets, which include some huge Premier League stars.

Sources in Saudi Arabia anticipate that top-flight teams will not match their record £757 million spend from 2023. However, they insist that this summer's transfer strategy will be equally aggressive, and the expenditure on player fees is expected to be significant.

The source claims that big Premier League names like Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Raphaël Varane, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Andreas Pereira are all on the agenda for the SPL next season.

Van Dijk- Getty

ESPN's source also claims that Al Qadisiyah are anticipated to make significant investments in the summer if they secure promotion to the SPL.

The side is currently leading the second division, Al Qadisiyah is owned by Saudi Aramco, the state-owned national oil company of Saudi Arabia, which holds a reported value of over £2 trillion.

Furthermore, according to a source, the SPL is planning to attract more high-profile coaches to the country as part of its efforts to enhance the league's profile, with Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino reportedly on the division's radar.

Topics: Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Bernardo Silva

Tom Jenkins

Tom Jenkins is a Social Editor and Journalist for SPORTBible. Specialises in Football and F1 but has experience covering a variety of sports such as MMA, Boxing and Cricket. Suffers weekly as an Evertonian.

@tomjenkns