Saudi Pro League clubs have shifted their focus from ageing superstars to young French talent, exploiting a financial crisis in Ligue 1 to secure promising players. While the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté drew global attention, the league now aims to sustain interest by recruiting players under 21, using an extra foreign player slot introduced 18 months ago.
France's top flight is struggling financially, with broadcast rights falling from a projected €1bn to around €270m this season. Clubs like Monaco, Rennes and Nantes urgently need revenue, making them willing sellers. Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro described the Saudi market as 'positive' after Al-Ittihad paid €33m for George Ilenikhena, who had started just three Ligue 1 games. 'I wanted to keep George,' Scuro said. 'It is a shame that a young player with a lot of potential leaves.'
Other notable transfers include Mohamed Kader Meité to Al-Hilal for €30m, Nathan Zézé to Neom for €20m, and Saimon Bouabré to Al-Hilal for €23m. Bouabré's agent, Luis Ferrer, insisted the move was about game time, not money: 'The priority was football. It wasn’t a question of money.' However, Paris FC midfielder Ilan Kebbal noted that financial incentives are discussed openly, saying, 'It is difficult to see some young players leave the league, but would we say no if we were in their position?'
One agent representing a young French player in Saudi Arabia acknowledged the financial pull: 'When a club comes and offers you these salaries, you don’t necessarily think about yourself – you think about your family. The only clubs able to pay the fee are the Saudi clubs.' The cultural appeal also plays a part, with some players drawn by the Muslim-majority environment, as Karim Benzema cited when joining Al-Ittihad in 2023.
