Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves and Edouard Mendy have all made the switch to the Middle East so far, with many more stars set to follow: Your comprehensive Saudi Arabia transfer list of all the big summer moves in 2023
- Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired big names to make the switch to Saudi Arabia
- The forward joined Al-Nassr in December after leaving Manchester United
- The 2023 Saudi Arabia summer window is set to close on September 20
Cristiano Ronaldo has started a trend after he joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in December.
The Portuguese star put pen-to-paper on a two-year-deal worth £175million per season after he left Manchester United last November.
Other major names have since followed, with many more big deals set to be completed before the end of the summer window.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia will have until Wednesday, September 20 which means that teams have plenty of time to complete big-money deals.
So follow all of the latest major completed deals in Saudi Arabia throughout the summer window with our constantly updated transfer tracker below.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) signed for Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United on a free
Ronaldo’s move has inspired many other big names to follow in his footsteps and make the switch to the Middle East
Al-Hilal FC
Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves was one of the first big names to make the move to the Middle East this summer. Neves joined Al-Hilal for £47m in a club record deal for Wolves. The Portugal midfielder scored 30 goals in 253 appearances during six seasons at Molineux.
Neves, who had one year remaining on his contract, was part of the Wolves team that won the Sky Bet Championship title in 2018 following his move from Porto.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly left Chelsea just twelve months after signing for the Blues to join Al-Hilal in a £20m move.
The 32-year-old joined Chelsea from Napoli in a deal worth £34m last summer.
During his sole season at the club, Koulibaly made 32 appearances and netted twice in all competitions for the Blues.
Kalidou Koulibaly left Chelsea to join Saudi side Al-Hilal after just one seas with the Blues
Al-Ahli SC
Edouard Mendy
The goalkeeper completed a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, becoming the third Chelsea player, after Koulibaly and N’Golo Kante, to move to the Middle East.
The Senegal international left Chelsea after three years in west London and was part of the team who won the Champions League in 2021.
Edouard Mendy is one of three Chelsea players who have made the move to the Middle East
Al-Ittihad FC
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is another who will be playing in the Middle East ahead of the new season after joining Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.
The Frenchman penned a three-year-deal with the club and was allowed to leave the Bernabeu after 14 years after voiding the 12 month extension he had signed.
N’Golo Kante
Benzema will be joined by fellow countryman, N’Golo Kante after leaving Chelsea and joined the Saudi side on a free transfer. The French star joined the Blues back in 2016 after a high-profile move from Leicester City and enjoyed a successful career at Stamford Bridge.
A statement posted by the Saudi champions confirming the move read: ‘Ittihad Club wishes Kante success in achieving the club’s goals and fulfilling the expectations of all the club’s fans and supporters during his time with the team.’
Karim Benzema became the first big name to make the move to the Middle East this summer
The Frenchman is set to play in the same team as former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante
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