\n
Karim Benzema \u2013 To Al-Ittihad<\/strong>If there\u2019s one player that can justify that \u20ac600 million contract<\/strong>, it\u2019s Karim Benzema. Not only is he one of the greatest forwards in the world, but one who has just come into his prime.Karim exceeded already lofty expectations as Real Madrid\u2019s central force of attack following the absence of Ronaldo in 2018, becoming the top goalscorer that season. He was a key part of their 2019-20 La Liga victory with 20 goals, with a brace against Villarreal securing the title.Benzema also proved a successful leader in his last two seasons for the club, becoming captain in 2022-23. He left at the end of that season, after 16 years with the club, 353 goals and multiple titles. This is a man who can lead a team and score goals. He may be the lynchpin of Al-Ittihad\u2019s success.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Sadio Mane \u2013 To Al-Nassr<\/strong>The second biggest signing for Al-Nassr FC after Cristiano Ronaldo, at least in terms of headlines, has to be attack extraordinaire Sadio Mane. However, he comes in as a little bit of a wildcard.His 2022-23 season for Bayern Munich fell way below expectations following six fruitful years at Anfield. With 120 goals in 269 games from Mane contributing to Premier League and Champions League titles for Liverpool, it was a surprise when the goals for the German champions dried up. Famously, he failed to get a single shot in a group-stage showdown against Barcelona.Which Sadio Mane will show up at Al-Nassr? It remains one the Saudi Pro League\u2019s as of yet great unanswered questions.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Neymar \u2013 To Al-Hilal<\/strong>Everywhere Neymar has competed he has been a star player. Three teams, Santos<\/strong>, Barcelona<\/strong> and Paris Saint-Germain<\/strong>, and three 100 plus goal legacies<\/strong>. This fact alone might make him the most valuable of all the Saudi Pro League signings as Neymar has proven that he can be a difference maker anywhere. He adapted to the La Liga with intimidating quickness, and for PSG, came back from injury and controversy to push them towards Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue glory in 2020.And it\u2019s not just his contract that was record breaking (he was signed to PSG for an unprecedented \u20ac220 million<\/strong>), he became the fastest player in club history to score 50 goals<\/strong>, managing that feat in only 58 matches<\/strong>.Neymar later reached 100 goals<\/strong> during a 2021-22<\/strong> season where many questioned his form \u2014 a testament to his immense standards, and again retained his astronomical levels of quality in 2022-23. Consider for instance, his two goals and three assists in PSG\u2019s 7-1 win over Lille if you\u2019re wondering whether he\u2019s lost a step.If Neymar can stay healthy as injuries have slowed his otherwise rocketing momentum over the years, there are few playmakers on his level, even in a league on a mission to sign the best talent in the world.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n High Profile Managers\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n Considering how Nuno<\/strong> helped pull Al-Ittihad to glory last season, it is no surprise that it\u2019s not just players that are caught up in a whirlwind of spending. The likes of Czes\u0142aw Michniewicz<\/strong>, former Polish national team manager, Matthias Jaissle<\/strong>, ex Red Bull Salzburg\/FC Liefering boss and Portuguese legend Luis Castro<\/strong> are all joining top Saudi teams this year.<\/p>\n\n\n Making most headlines for English readers of course will be the addition of Steven Gerrard<\/strong> to the management of Al-Ettifaq<\/strong>. He had a dreadful spell in Aston Villa leading to his sacking, and this will be a fantastic chance to win back the reputation he once had as the manager of Rangers \u2014 and we\u2019re sure the money doesn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n\n