According to Mundo Deportivo, Saudi League officials are keen to sign three stars from Real Madrid and Barcelona during the upcoming summer transfer window, and concrete steps are already being taken to finalize these deals soon.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is spearheading the effort to attract the world’s best footballers to the Saudi League. The ambitious plan to make the Saudi League one of the top five leagues globally continues with the acquisition of several major players this summer.
According to the report, the Saudi League is currently targeting Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba, and Antonio Rüdiger.
The trio’s contracts with Barcelona and Real Madrid expire in the summer of 2026, opening the door for them to join the Saudi League on free transfers.
What’s interesting about the Mundo Deportivo report is that the exorbitant salaries previously offered to European football stars to move to Saudi Arabia will not be repeated in the cases of Lewandowski, Alaba, and Rüdiger.
Saudi officials want to reduce expenses and abandon the policy of exorbitant salaries, so the maximum the trio can receive will be between €25 and €30 million, a salary similar to what they earn at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Rüdiger has confirmed his willingness to move to the Saudi league, and Alaba’s stance is expected to be similar. However, Lewandowski still aspires to stay with Barcelona for another year, or at least remain in Europe, amidst strong interest from AC Milan.
