Saudi transfer window closes after a $1 billion spending spree on soccer stars
Everton's Demarai Gray in action during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Everton at the London Stadium in London, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Demarai Gray joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq from Everton on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steve Luciano]
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s transfer window shut after an outlay of $1 billion and confirmation the oil-rich kingdom is a new powerhouse in global soccer. Leading target Mohamed Salah may not have joined Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema by making a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League but it seems inevitable more stars will eventually be lured away from Europe’s biggest clubs. Liverpool last week reportedly rejected a bid worth 150 million pounds ($188 million) from Al-Ittihad for Salah. There was speculation a renewed offer would come before the deadline but no deal was struck for the Egypt international.
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Brazilian national team's historical top scorer and the star of Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar Jr. attends the official unveiling as a new member of Saudi Al Hilal club at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Al Hilal club reached an agreement on the transfer of the Brazil forward for a reported 90 million euros ($98 million), a record for a league that is now financially backed by the oil-rich state. (AP Photo)
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