The Saudi Pro League transfer window officially opened on Wednesday, and a number of players have already completed their moves. Al-Ahli have been very active in the market, with the Jeddah-based club quick to bring in fresh recruits to bolster Matthias Jaissle’s squad.

Trincão deal leads the way as the Saudi business begins

The biggest confirmed transfer so far involving a Pro League club has seen Francisco Trincão leave Sporting to join Al-Ahli for €39.35m.

The 26-year-old played the best football of his career last season. He registered four goals and three assists in 11 Champions League appearances for the Lisbon outfit, with a further 18 goal contributions in the Portuguese top flight.

Al-Ahli have further bolstered their creative options by signing Armenian playmaker Eduard Spertsyan for €21.9m from Krasnodar. Also 26, the transfer highlights the growing trend of Saudi sides targeting European players heading into their peak years, rather than big names at the end of their careers.

Jan-Carlo Simić is even younger at just 21. The Serbian international centre-back has completed a €15m move from Anderlecht to Al-Ittihad in one of the other standout transfers so far.

Pro League snapping up African talent

A number of African players have also joined Saudi clubs over the past 24 hours. The highest profile of those is Malang Sarr, who announced his availability for Senegal before the 2026 World Cup, but was not selected.

Sarr was one of the standout defenders in Ligue 1 last term for Lens. He averaged 2.0 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game for the surprise title challengers. Following the expiry of his contract, the 27-year-old has moved to NEOM SC on a free transfer.

Moroccan international Souffian El Karouani is another defender who has completed a Pro League switch. He has signed for Al-Qadsiah after leaving Utrecht.

Elsewhere, Gambian teenager Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh sealed a €6.5m move to Al-Ahli and Senegalese youngster Clayton Diandy will represent Al-Diriyah after finalising a €4.6m transfer from Aris Thessaloniki.

Who else could move to Saudi Arabia?

There is a huge deal involving a Saudi club that is nearing completion. After suffering relegation from the Premier League with West Ham, Crysencio Summerville looks set to join Al-Hilal in a deal worth in excess of €70m.

After finishing second last season, Simone Inzaghi’s side are expected to be highly active in the market. The Summerville fee could mark the second highest they’ve ever paid, behind only the €90m capture of Neymar in 2023.

Free agent Mohamed Salah is another high-profile player who has been widely linked with the Pro League. Barcelona’s Marc Casadó and Nigerian star Raphael Onyedika are additional potential targets, with Al Ittihad pursuing a move for the latter, although they face competition from Eintracht Frankfurt.