It was striking that in a month when Neymar left Saudi Arabia after costing Al-Hilal hundreds of millions of pounds and playing only seven games in return, the Saudi Pro League’s clubs turned more and more to youth.
Saudi Pro League shifts away from megastar signings to focus on youth Competing with European clubs for top prospects is partly a business decision, partly an attempt to change perceptions.
Last summer, the biggest signing was Al-Ittihad’s capture of the 25-year-old Moussa Diaby, also from Aston Villa – the Birmingham club have received more than £100m from Saudi Arabia in the space of just six months.
Michael Emenalo is the Pro League’s director of football having spent years with Chelsea and Monaco, while Al-Hilal’s chief executive, Esteve Calzada, worked for the City Football Group.
Officials are hopeful that as the Pro League improves, young players can either make their names and/or improve their reputations in Saudi Arabia.
