Liverpool is currently positioned 6th, while Manchester City sits at 4th.
The Saudi Pro League is quickly establishing itself as a powerhouse in global football, significantly increasing its financial influence year after year. In recent seasons, the league has made headlines by attracting top European talent, with renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar making the switch, alongside emerging stars such as Jhon Durán and Fabinho. Saudi clubs have consistently opened their wallets during transfer windows, leading to considerable profit for many European clubs.
Over the last five seasons, including the ongoing 2025/26 season, the Saudi Pro League has spent a staggering €1.86 billion on acquiring new players. By excluding loan deals and free transfers, such as Ronaldo’s to Al-Nassr, we can identify which clubs have benefited the most from this phenomenon, revealing an intriguing roster of teams from Europe’s top five leagues.
The chart above illustrates the diverse clubs that have profited from Saudi investments over the past five seasons, with a significant representation from the United Kingdom. Eight Premier League clubs appear in the top 20, alongside Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, who rank 18th. In contrast, only three clubs from Ligue 1, two from Serie A, two from Portugal, and one each from the Bundesliga and La Liga are featured.
Focusing on the top 10, several major English clubs stand out for their sales to Saudi Pro League teams, with Liverpool (€60.7m), Chelsea (€64.5m), and Manchester City (€87.5m) ranking high. Interestingly, they’re accompanied by Fulham in ninth place and Wolves in seventh, both of whom have made notable transfers to Saudi clubs, including Aleksandar Mitrović’s move to Al Hilal for €52.6m and Rúben Neves for €55m. Brentford, who sold Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli for €42m last summer, just missed the top 10, coming in at 11th.
Remarkably, Aston Villa tops the list as the club that has profited the most from Saudi spending over the past five seasons. Following the sale of Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad for €60m last summer and Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr for €77m in January, the Villans have amassed an impressive €137m from the Saudi Pro League. This positions them ahead of Paris Saint-Germain in third place, who have earned €103m, and Porto in second with €110m from their sales.
