Liverpool ready to offload three unwanted stars in bid to fund blockbuster £150m offer for Newcastle ace Alexander Isak
Despite an unprecedented spending spree already this summer, Liverpool could yet break another record to sign Alexander Isak.
Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League (SPL), also known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Saudi Arabia, recognized as the premier football competition in Asia. Established in 1976, it features 18 clubs competing in a round-robin format from August to May, with the champion earning a title and qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the bottom three teams face relegation. The league has a rich history, evolving from regional tournaments and the King’s Cup to a fully professional system since 2007, with Al-Hilal holding a record 19 titles.
Since 2023, the SPL has gained global attention due to significant investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which acquired 75% stakes in top clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. This financial backing has attracted world-class stars, starting with **Cristiano Ronaldo**, whose 2023 move to Al-Nassr sparked a “revolution” in Asian football. Other prominent players include **Neymar** (Al-Hilal), **Karim Benzema** (Al-Ittihad), **Sadio Mané** (Al-Nassr), **Riyad Mahrez** (Al-Ahli), **N’Golo Kanté** (Al-Ittihad), **Rúben Neves** (Al-Hilal), and **Allan Saint-Maximin** (Al-Ahli), significantly boosting the league’s profile.
The 2024-25 season saw Al-Ittihad as the reigning champions, with Al-Hilal dominating historically. Recent highlights include Al-Hilal’s unbeaten 2023-24 season and Ronaldo’s record-breaking 35 goals, earning him the Golden Boot. The league recorded 909 goals in 2023-24, a 40% increase from the previous season, reflecting its growing competitiveness. However, challenges remain, such as concerns over the league’s two-tier structure due to uneven investment and the reliance on veteran stars, with some like Benzema facing speculation about potential exits.
With passionate fan support, vibrant tifos, and increasing global broadcasts, the SPL aims to be among the world’s top leagues by 2030, leveraging its star power and infrastructure development ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Chelsea have bad news for Cristiano Ronaldo as Blues take strong stance on Marc Cucurella amid Al-Nassr transfer talk
Marc Cucurella has been linked with Al-Nassr but is considered unlikely to leave Chelsea, according to the the latest reporting.
VIDEO: Straight to work for Joao Felix! Chelsea flop already training alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr despite €50m transfer announcement still pending
New footage has emerged of Joao Felix training with Al-Nassr, despite still technically being a Chelsea player.
VIDEO: Another goal for Mason Greenwood! Five in three for Marseille star as ex-Man Utd forward ignores pre-season transfer gossip
Mason Greenwood remains in red-hot form for Marseille in pre-season, with his goal tally being taken to five through three appearances.
Joao Felix earns staggering wage rise! Chelsea flop's new salary revealed as he joins Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr after abandoning dream Benfica return
Joao Felix's next chapter comes with an enormous financial incentive in Saudi Arabia with the forward more than doubling his Chelsea salary.
Lionel Messi has 'earned the right' to decide when & where he’ll retire as Sergio Aguero reacts to MLS exit rumours at Inter Miami
Sergio Aguero says Lionel Messi has “earned the right” to decide when and where he retires, with exit talk raging at MLS side Inter Miami.
From Barcelona to Al-Nassr? La Liga champions may lose key figure amid director's early return from Asia
Rafa Yuste could swap Barcelona for Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr pushing to make the vice-president their new CEO in a high-stakes move.
Joao Felix labelled a 'money-printing machine' and not 'in charge' of his career as agent slams Chelsea attacker's Al-Nassr move
Joao Felix has been heavily criticised for agreeing to join Al-Nassr from Chelsea, with an agent labelling the attacker a "money-printing machine".
Real Madrid identify blockbuster replacement for Vinicius Jr as contract talks with Brazilian superstar continue to stall
Real Madrid have already identified Vinicius Junior's replacement as contract talks with the Brazilian winger have stalled. Vini Jr. still has two years left on his existing deal and is demanding a wage hike to sign a new contract. In case the Selecao star leaves the club, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, Los Blancos will go after Premier League star Erling Haaland.