The most expensive Saudi professional league ever-ever transfer after Nunez joins Al-Hilal

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has attracted many superstars to play football in the Middle East and provided huge funds.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the first big names to go to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr in 2023, and Portuguese idols are now making an intoxicating £178 million each season.

Some star players have rejected moves to the Saudi professional league, including Lionel Messi, Bruno Fernandez and Kyrian Mbappe. But Neymar, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante swap the best club in Europe for Saudi Arabia.

Darwin Nunez is the latest, heading from Liverpool to Al-Hilal for an initial transfer of €53 million. But where is he ranked among the 10 most expensive Saudi professional league transfers ever?

10

Galenno

Al-Ahli EUR 50 million

Brazilian winger Galeno swapped FC Porto for Al-Ahli in 2025 for €50 million.

It can be argued that when switching Portugal to Saudi Arabia at the age of 27, Galeno helped Al-Ahli win the first ever AFC Champions League elite championship, scoring in the final against Kawasaki Frontale.

9

Aleksandar Mitrovic

€52.6 million

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored goals everywhere throughout his career, drawing Al-Hilal’s attention after eight years in England with Newcastle United and Fulham.

In 2023, they decided to pay €52.6 million for the Serbian striker, who averaged more than a goal or assist. Mitrovic helped Al-Hilal win the league in 2023/24 and the Saudi Cup.

8

Darwin Nunez

€53 million to al-Hilal

Darwin Nunez looks like a possible replacement for Mitrovic in Al-Hilal in 2025.

The former Liverpool striker was attacked and missed in Anfield after £85m Reds, with Arne’s slot machines and Merseyside’s slot machines deciding to deliver a six-year contract.

7

Ruben Neves

€55 million to al-Hilal

Al-Hilal has been a big spending in recent years and has splashed cash on midfielder Ruben Neves in 2023.

The Portuguese midfielder followed his national teammate Ronaldo to the Saudi professional league and paid €55 million to the Premier League team.

6

Otavio

60 million euros to al-Nassr

Otavio, another Portuguese star, traveled to the Middle East in 2023, and al-Nassr triggered his €60 million release clause in his football club Porto contract.

In the offensive game against Ronaldo, the winger has made nearly 100 appearances for Al-Nassr and has signed a contract until 2026.

5

Malcolm

60 million euros to al-Hilal

Malcom lost more than €40 million in Barcelona in 2018, but he joined Al-Hilal again in 2023 after selling the Brazilian winger to Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Malcom is still in the 2025 book, winning a Saudi League title, a Saudi Cup and two Saudi Super Cups.

4

Moussa Diaby

Al-Ittihad EUR 60 million

Despite signing people like Benzema, Kante and Fabinho in recent years, the most expensive signing for Al-Ittihad is Moussa Diaby.

Diaby, who spent €60 million from Aston Villa in 2024, became an auxiliary aircraft for Al-Ittihad, earning 16 copies in his first Al-Ittihad season.

3

Mateo retegui

€68.25 million to Qadsiah

After finishing fourth in the Saudi Pro League 2024/25, Qadsiah splashed cash and broke the transfer record by signing forward Mateo Retegui from Atlanta.

Hope to score 25 goals on 24/25 on 24/25, hoping to overturn Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr to join Al-Qadsiah.

2

Jhon Duran

To al-Nassr 77 million euros

Like Diaby, Aston Villa also sold Jhon Duran to the Saudi Pro League, where Al-Nassr briefly paired the Colombian with Ronaldo.

They paid a club record of €77 million for the striker, but Duran was loaned to Turkish team Fenerbahce for the 2025/26 season.

1

Neymar

90 million euros to al-Hilal

Neymar, the most expensive Saudi professional league transfer ever, ranks the rankings as the most expensive Saudi professional league, and he sold 90 million euros from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Unfortunately for Neymar and Al-Hilal, the Brazilian was seriously injured shortly after joining, never starred in Saudi Arabia, with only seven appearances at the club.

He left in 2025 after termination of his contract and returned to Santos.