According to 90min, the Saudi Pro League has set its sights on Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne as top targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
After making significant signings last summer, including Neymar, Fabinho, and Karim Benzema, to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi negotiators are once again planning to attract some of Europe’s top talents to the Middle East.
Out of nearly 100 potential options, a list of twenty primary or ‘elite’ targets has been identified, with the goal of persuading nearly half of them to make the move, a strategy previously employed in the summer of 2023.
Salah and De Bruyne are reportedly at the forefront of this pursuit, with both players seen as key targets for the league.
There is a belief within Saudi Arabia that Salah may be open to relocating there in the future, especially as his contract with Liverpool nears its end, making him a target for a fresh approach this summer.
However, it remains uncertain whether Salah would consider leaving Anfield, with a decision on his contract expected later this year.
As for De Bruyne, his agents have yet to indicate whether the Manchester City star would be interested in a move to Saudi Arabia. With his current contract expiring in 2025, City is keen to extend his stay, with manager Pep Guardiola expressing his desire to continue working with the Belgian.
While Guardiola hopes De Bruyne will agree to a new deal, if City were to consider offers, they would likely demand a hefty transfer fee, possibly surpassing the Β£100 million mark.
In terms of potential destinations, Salah’s preference in Saudi Arabia would be to join Al Hilal and play alongside Neymar (if he remains), Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
On the other hand, De Bruyne may attract interest from clubs like Al Nassr or Al Ittihad, both of whom are reportedly negotiating to sign Manchester United center-back Raphael Varane.
Additionally, Thiago Alcantara is another name to watch, with several Saudi teams considering signing a pre-contract with the Liverpool midfielder.
With new regulations allowing for 10 foreign players in the upcoming season, there is also a focus on younger talents, with loans being considered to bolster the league’s caliber and establish ties with elite teams.
Players like Liverpool’s Ben Doak, Dortmund’s Almugera Kabar, Sampdoria’s Facundo Gonzalez (on loan from Juventus), and Lorient’s Eli Junior Kroupi are among those being considered for short-term deals.
