RIYADH: One would have been forgiven for thinking this was the quietest transfer window of the Saudi Pro League since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in early 2023.
Most of the signings before the final 48 hours were minor reinforcements, with the most expensive transfer being Murad Al-Hawsawi’s move from Al-Khaleej to Al-Hilal. By the end of the transfer window, 40 new transfers had been completed across the league, representing 45 percent of the window’s transfers.
The seeds were sown on Jan. 26, when Al-Nassr announced the signing of Hayder Abdulkareem from Al-Zawraa in the Iraqi Stars League to bolster the midfield. Out went Wesley on loan to Real Sociedad, to free up space for the young Iraqi.
Three days later, L’Equipe reported that Karim Benzema’s time at Al-Ittihad was nearing an end after a contract proposal from Saudi Pro League director Michael Emenalo was deemed a significant step down.
“This offer, considered insulting, was taken as a sign of disrespect by the player’s entourage, as it would amount to ‘playing for free,’ they explained, in addition to his image rights,” wrote Hugo Guillemet.
