Saudi Arabia’s transfer market closes 2025 with record spending of €584 million, challenging Europe
The Saudi Pro League closed the 2025 transfer window with unprecedented investments, reaching €584 million (R$3.6 billion), according to GE. This marks a 22% increase compared to 2024, when spending totaled €479 million (R$3.03 billion), consolidating Saudi Arabia as a global powerhouse in the player market.
Al-Qadsiah Leads with Historic Signing of Mateo Retegui
Among the surprises, Al-Qadsiah emerged as the biggest investor, allocating €124 million (R$783 million) in reinforcements. The club made headlines by securing Mateo Retegui for €68.5 million (R$434 million), the most expensive signing of the window.
This bold move signals the rise of clubs outside the traditional “big four,” altering the balance of power in Saudi football.
Neom Breaks Records and Puts Pressure on Giants
Another highlight was Neom, newly promoted to the top division, which invested €109 million (R$690 million) in squad building. The strategy puts direct pressure on giants like Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad, proving that new forces are ready to challenge the established hierarchy.
Al-Hilal Responds with Darwin Núñez and Theo Hernández
To avoid losing ground, Al-Hilal reinforced heavily, signing Darwin Núñez from Liverpool for around €53 million (R$335 million) and Theo Hernández from AC Milan for €22 million (R$139 million). The response underlines their intent to maintain dominance despite new challengers.
Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad Join the Battle
Al-Nassr also made waves, signing João Félix from Chelsea for €30 million (R$190 million) and Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich. These moves aim to balance forces after a difficult 2024 season.
Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad stayed active to avoid falling behind, maintaining a steady investment strategy even without breaking spending records.
A New Competitive Era in Saudi Football
The distributed investments across multiple clubs prove that the Saudi project is no longer concentrated among a select few. The financial strength and ambition of newcomers like Al-Qadsiah and Neom are reshaping the league’s landscape.
Impact on European Football
On the international stage, the Saudi surge creates serious pressure on Europe’s top leagues, which now face the risk of losing talent before their peak years. Far from being a short-lived trend, the Saudi project positions itself as a long-term challenge to European dominance in world football.
