Football in Saudi Arabia is facing a critical moment that could strongly affect the future of the Saudi Pro League.
Although in recent seasons the league has attracted big names in world football and revolutionized the global market, the expiration of the contracts of many key players has put some clubs in an unforeseen situation that is being considered by clubs, agents and fans.
In August 2026, a significant number of high-profile footballers will be nearing the end of their contracts, prompting questions about the stability of the teams and their sporting objectives for the next season, writes "tuttomercatoweb", reports "Gazeta Express".
Among the most prominent names are: Karim Benzema – who may not renew with Al-Ittihad, Fabinho, Danilo Pereira and Kalidou Koulibaly, all nearing the end of their contracts.
Also, midfielder Rúben Neves, as well as attacking figures Sadio Mané and midfielder Marcelo Brozović, whose contracts expire at the end of the season.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Iñigo Martínez complete the list of high-profile names who will be free on the market in the summer.
This season has been one of the most interesting for the Saudi league, which has invested record amounts to bring in champions like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané.
But now, as the basis of these contracts approaches its end, clubs face several strategic dilemmas: Renewing key names, which requires difficult negotiations and large financial demands; Reconstructing expirations, with the possibility that some of these stars will leave for their main rivals or even Europe again; and: Increasing pressure for new transfers that can fill the gaps in the teams, the importance of which is increasingly being discussed in the international media.
Beyond expiring contracts, Saudi teams also have new ambitions to attract other big stars, and media reports suggest that clubs such as Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli are preparing to target other European stars to improve the league's image and increase competition on the international stage.
The Saudi Pro League has invested a whopping 2,3 billion euros in the last two years, a stratospheric figure, surpassed only by the Premier League. /Express newspaper
edition
t7 live
