Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Pro League’s summer transfer window delivered again a headline-grabbing period in the competition’s history, turning the Kingdom into a global battleground for talents.

Al Ittihad leaned on the sharp eye of sporting director Ramon Planes to reshape its roster.

The Jeddah giants landed local talents Mohammed Barnawi from Al Hilal and Mohammed Hazazi from Al Nassr, while also recruiting Guinean prospect Roger Fernandes from Braga, Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Doumbia from Antwerp, and Serbian defender Jan Carlo Simic from Anderlecht.

Departures included Abdullilah Hawsawi to Al Taawoun and Unai Hernández to Al Shabab on loan.

Champions Al Hilal made even bigger waves, signing French fullback Theo Hernández from AC Milan and Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez from Liverpool.

They also added Ali Lajami from Al Nassr and Abdulkarim Aldarsi from Al Ahli. However, fan favorites Aleksandar Mitrović and Yasser Al Shahrani moved on to Al Rayyan in Qatar and Al Qadsiah respectively.

Al Nassr’s aggressive rebuild was steered by new CEO José Semedo, sporting director Simão Coutinho, and manager Jorge Jesus.

Their headline arrivals included Portuguese playmaker João Félix from Chelsea, French winger Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich, and Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez from Barcelona. Outgoing transfers saw Ali Lajami join Al Hilal and Colombian striker Jhon Durán head to Fenerbahçe on loan.

Al Qadsiah shocked the market by landing last season’s Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui from Atalanta.

They followed that with the capture of Portuguese midfielder Otávio from Al Nassr and Saudi internationals Yasser Al Shahrani and Musab Al Juwayr from Al Hilal, while parting ways with Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Fresh off their Asian Elite Cup triumph, Al Ahli reinforced for a grueling multi-front campaign — including the FIFA Club Cup, league, King’s Cup, and the new Asian Champions League.

They signed French midfielder Enzo Millot from Stuttgart and Brazilian winger Matheus Gonçalves from Flamengo, but waved goodbye to Roberto Firmino (Al Sadd) and Gabri Veiga (Porto).

Al Shabab left it late but struck decisively, bringing in Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe from Al Khaleej, French midfielder Yacine Adli from Milan, and Englishman Josh Brownhill from Burnley. Haroun Kamara joined Al Nassr, while Cristian Guanca departed for AlUla.

Among ambitious challengers, Al Ettifaq signed Slovak international Ondrej Duda from Hellas Verona; Al Taawoun added French midfielder Angelo Fulgini from Lens; and Al Fateh captured Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi from Ettifaq.

Al Khaleej also got their moment in the spotlight with Norwegian striker Joshua King (Toulouse) and Greek winger Giorgos Masouras (Olympiacos). Al Fayha moved for Alfa Semedo (Neom FC) and Yassine Benzia (Qarabag), while Damac signed Ivorian Yakou Méïté (Cardiff) and Paraguayan Jesú s Medina (Spartak Moscow).

Newcomers Al Okhdood stayed bold with Koray Günter (Hellas Verona) and Samuel Lima (Porto).

But the newest force, Neom FC, stole headlines by landing veteran French striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, Ivorian midfielder Amadou Koné (Reims), Spanish keeper Luis Maximiano (Almería), and Abdoulaye Doucouré (Everton).

Even promoted sides like Al Khaleej, Al Riyadh, Al Najma, and Al Hazem refused to stand still, making local and foreign signings to give themselves a fighting chance among the elite.