FootballSports

Saudi clubs splash big as transfer losses hit €286m

Saudi Pro League clubs continue to spend big, with six teams racking up a combined net loss of over €286 million in the 2025–26 summer transfer window.

From Al Nassr’s eye-watering deficit to Al-Ettifaq’s savvy profits, the financial strategies couldn’t be more different. Here's a club-by-club breakdown of who spent what, and what it says about the league’s ambitions.


Al Nassr: Big names, bigger deficit

Al-Nassr
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Al Nassr took the top spot for transfer spending, shelling out €104.97 million while only recouping €11.65 million. This leaves them with a staggering net loss of €93.32 million, the worst in the league.

Despite the massive outlay, the squad remains relatively stable with 28 players, 10 of whom are foreign. The club seems committed to chasing trophies at all costs, financial balance be damned.

Read also: Supercomputer reveals the 2025–26 Premier League table


Al Hilal: Close behind in the spending race

Al Hilal
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Al Hilal wasn’t far behind, spending €101.28 million while bringing in just €11.52 million. Their balance sits at a heavy €-89.76 million.

With 29 players and 12 foreigners, they field one of the largest and most international squads. Once again, Hilal is going all-in, aiming to dominate domestically and in Asia.


Al Ittihad: No income, just expense

Al-Ittihad
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Uniquely, Al Ittihad brought in zero income from transfers yet spent €74 million. That leaves them with a full €74 million loss.

Their 31-man squad is the league's largest, and with 13 foreign players, the club is clearly building for continental competition. A bold financial move that signals major ambition, but also high risk.

Read also: Inside football’s fortune factory: The Premier League’s 20 highest salaries of 2025


Al Ahli: Mixed business with a €38m deficit

Al Ahli
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Al Ahli generated the most transfer income at €39.25 million, but they also spent €77.53 million. That leaves them with a €38.28 million net loss, still significant despite strong sales.

Their 28-man squad includes 11 foreign players and a relatively young average age of 25.8. They’re balancing investment with sustainability more than most.


Al-Shabab: Quiet spending, modest losses

Al-Shabab
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Al-Shabab had one of the lowest net losses at €8.32 million. They spent €11.72 million and recovered €3.4 million in income.

Their 26-player squad has just 9 foreign players, making them one of the least international sides in the top tier. Cautious but not inactive, their strategy suggests patience and development.

Read also: Jose Mourinho’s 15 most expensive signings — ranked


Al-Ettifaq: The only club in the green

Al-Ettifaq
Wikimedia Commons

Al-Ettifaq is the only Saudi Pro League club to end the window with a positive balance. They spent just €1.6 million but generated €19.04 million in sales, earning a net profit of €17.44 million.

With 11 foreign players and a 26-man roster, they’ve trimmed the squad wisely. A rare show of financial restraint and smart business in a big-spending league.


Total spending: A €371 million summer spree

Football and money
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Across just six clubs, the Saudi Pro League recorded €371.16 million in spending. Transfer income only reached €84.86 million, leaving a combined net loss of €286.3 million.

The adjusted balance, taking inflation into account, remains identical. The league’s ambition to attract top talent remains crystal clear, whatever the financial cost.

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Foreign player focus: 66 stars from abroad

Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad
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The six clubs boast 66 foreign players across 168 total squad members. Al Ittihad leads the pack with 13 internationals, followed by Al Hilal’s 12.

This reflects the league's strong focus on importing high-level talent to boost quality and global appeal. While local development still matters, international stardust dominates.


Youth vs experience: Squad age breakdown

Saudi Arabia national team
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The average squad age across the six clubs ranges from 25.7 (Al-Shabab) to 27.2 (Al Nassr).

Al-Ahli (25.8) and Al-Ettifaq (26.7) suggest a lean toward younger, potentially more developmental squads. It shows that while the league is splashing cash, some clubs are thinking about the long term.

Read also: The longest-serving Premier League managers in 2025, ranked from 10 to 1


Inflation-adjusted reality

Saudi Arabia 2020
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Interestingly, inflation has made no difference to the adjusted balances for any club. All six teams show identical balances in both raw and inflation-adjusted terms for 2025.

This suggests stability in market valuation, or simply that clubs are paying current top-market rates regardless. The strategy remains clear: buy now, worry later.


Who's really winning this transfer window?

Saudi Arabia national football team left winger Yahia Alshehri
Alizada Studios / Shutterstock.com

Success in the window depends on your perspective. Al-Ettifaq is clearly the financial winner, while Al Nassr and Al Hilal have taken the biggest risks.

If trophies follow, those deficits might be justified. If not, serious questions will be asked. The Saudi Pro League is making headlines again, and the football world is watching.