A news report has indicated that "the Saudi Investment Fund has imposed spending restrictions on contracts by the major clubs in the "Roshan" Professional Football League during the current winter transfer period." Unlike the tumultuous summer transfer market of 2023, which saw numerous high-profile deals in the "Roshan" Professional League, the start of the winter transfer market in Saudi Arabia has been very quiet a week after the window opened.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo opened the door for players from Europe to migrate to the Saudi league by joining Al-Nassr during the last winter transfer window, after terminating his contract with Manchester United.
The summer transfer market of last year saw significant deals in the "Roshan" Professional League amounting to nearly one billion dollars, with Al-Hilal signing stars like Brazilian duo Neymar and Malcom, Portuguese Ruben Neves, and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Al-Ahli also signed Brazilian Roberto Firmino and Algerian Riyad Mahrez, while Senegalese Sadio Mané and Croatian Marcelo Brozović joined Al-Nassr, and Frenchman Karim Benzema went to Al-Ittihad, among others since the beginning of 2023.
These contracts were made possible by the Saudi government's support for the main clubs in the Roshan League through the Public Investment Fund, but this large support will not continue in the current winter transfer market. The Spanish newspaper "As" reported that the Public Investment Fund has imposed restrictions on spending on contracts by the clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli during the winter transfer period of 2024.
The report noted that these clubs will only depend on their own funds, and furthermore, each deal must be financially approved through a series of complex requirements, which seem likely to significantly reduce contracts.
Al-Hilal currently sits at the top of the "Roshan" Saudi Professional Football League with 53 points, leading by seven points over second-placed Al-Nassr, followed by Al-Ahli in third place with 40 points.
