We have analysed some Saudi Pro League transfer odds to see which star names could move to the gulf either in this window or in the summer. The Saudis made their mark last January by persuading world icon Cristiano Ronaldo to join Al-Nassr, and a number of global superstars followed him last summer, including the likes of Karim Benzema and Neymar.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see who the next big name will be to play their football in Saudi Arabia…
Saudi Pro League transfer odds – Current outrights
Mohamed Salah – 9/1
Salah is currently 9/1 to sign for a Saudi Pro League club after the January transfer window. He has been as short as 2/1 to move to the gulf state, but odds have drifted slightly since he jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Egypt.
Salah has once again shown that he can perform consistently at the highest level this season, as he is currently joint-top of the Premier League's goal and assist charts with 14 and eight respectively for Liverpool, helping them end 2023 top of the division.
However, at 31 years old and with his contract at Anfield set to expire next year, he has a decision to make in terms of whether to stay at Liverpool, or seek one more big move in his career.
There is no doubt that the Saudis would make him one of if not the highest-paid player in the division, and his profile would attract other big names to the Middle East should he move. Nonetheless, this will be one to watch over the next few weeks.
Raphael Varane – 10/1
You can get 10/1 odds on Varane joining a Saudi Pro League club after this month. The Manchester United centre-back briefly lost his starting place under Erik ten Hag, and will want to be playing regularly ahead of the Euros this summer, where France have plenty of competition in his area of the pitch with the likes of Arsenal's William Saliba, Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate.
There have also been reports that the Red Devils have decided not to trigger a 12-month extension on Varane's contract, meaning that his deal is set to expire this summer as it stands. He is the club's highest earner on £340,000-per-week, and so United could look to get him off their books.
The Saudis would likely be able to offer Varane close to the pay that he would want, and could also offer United a sizeable transfer fee should he depart. Nonetheless, at 30 years old, it is unknown how many years the Frenchman has left at the top level.
This will certainly be one to keep an eye on over the coming months, especially if United line up a replacement.
Victor Osimhen – 16/1
Osimhen is currently 16/1 to sign for a Saudi Pro League club after January. The Napoli striker has recently jetted off to the Ivory Coast to represent his country Nigeria at AFCON.
Osimhen has recently signed a new contract with Napoli, but crucially it contains a release clause of just over £100m. The mega-rich Saudis are capable of paying that amount, and so it would be up to the player if he wanted to move to the gulf.
The 25-year-old has unfortunately been hit by injuries this season, which has coincided with Napoli's turn of fortunes. They slumped to ninth in Serie A after a 3-0 defeat at Torino on Sunday afternoon, meaning they are very unlikely to defend their title crown.
Osimhen was Serie A's top scorer with 26 goals last season, showing the world what he is capable of as he spearheaded his team to the title.
David De Gea – 16/1
De Gea is still a free agent after leaving United last summer, and any Saudi Pro League club is currently 16/1 to pick him up. Despite being 33, he is still a very capable goalkeeper – as shown by the 17 clean sheets he kept in the Premier League last season.
That secured him the Golden Glove, as he helped United secure a third-place finish and qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The troubles his replacement Andre Onana has had at Old Trafford further heightens his credentials, and we expect him to find a new club sooner than later.
