Saudi spending no one-off, says top league official

The chief operating officer of the Saudi Pro League has stated that the significant investments made to attract top players to Saudi Arabia this season are part of a long-term strategy to establish the league as one of the best in the world. Carlo Nohra emphasized that the country’s authorities are confident that their approach of signing high-profile players will result in increased attendance at stadiums in the upcoming campaign. Saudi clubs have spent over 400 million euros in the transfer window to acquire players from elite European teams, including Karim Benzema, Jordan Henderson, and Riyad Mahrez. This influx of talent began after Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo in December. The Saudi League is currently ranked as the fifth-biggest spender in the transfer window, surpassing Spain’s LaLiga. Nohra explained that the objective of the Saudi Pro League is to improve the quality of the product, which necessitates bringing in top players through significant spending. He emphasized that the league’s strategy is a long-term journey and that the spending will continue. The ultimate goal is for the Saudi Pro League to become one of the top 10 leagues globally and a recognized leader in governance, club development, player acquisition, and commercialization. While reports suggest that Saudi Arabia has allocated over $17 billion to support clubs under the “Vision 2030” reform blueprint, Nohra clarified that each transfer period will be handled independently. The focus is on improving the quality on the pitch, which requires financial investment. The league is expected to make more high-profile player acquisitions before the transfer window closes, generating excitement among fans. Nohra expressed the palpable excitement in the football-mad country and highlighted the significant attendance and broadcast coverage in the previous season. He emphasized that the strategy is coming to life, and the league aims to deliver quality entertainment to the Saudi people who have a deep love for the sport. With 80% of the population either playing, watching, or attending matches, there are no concerns about fans flocking to watch the new stars in action.