While Al-Hilal might have eventually failed in their bid to lure Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, the Saudi Arabian giants are planning to shatter more financial records this summer.
Already watching a string of Premier League superstars complete their own respective bank-breaking moves to the Middle East over the past couple of years, Saudi are desperate to establish themselves as one of world football’s elite domestic leagues.
Despite coming under a huge amount of scrutiny for their eye-watering financial dealings, some of the Premier League’s biggest stars have been lured by the astonishing salaries that are available.
With the likes of ex-Aston Villa marksman John Duran and England international Ivan Toney completing big-money moves to the Middle East over the past 12 months, it appears that a number of Premier League aces could be following suit this summer.
Luis Diaz – Liverpool
While Mohamed Salah might have stolen plenty of the headlines around Anfield last season after spearheading Liverpool to an iconic 20th domestic crown, the Egyptian icon wasn’t the only attacking superstar to shine under Arne Slot’s guidance.
Bagging 13 Premier League goals and only finishing behind Salah in the race for Liverpool’s Golden Boot, Luis Diaz has become a key figure in the red half of Merseyside.
However, watching England international and academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold complete a controversial switch to Spanish giants Real Madrid, it has been suggested that more first-team stars could be heading for the Anfield exit.
With German sensation Florian Wirtz set to complete a record-breaking £100million move this month, there remains plenty of speculation surrounding Diaz’s long-term future.
Alongside having plenty of public admirers at Barcelona, it has been reported that a number of Saudi giants have identified the Colombian talisman as their standout target this summer.
With both parties failing to agree on a new deal over the past 12 months and speculation that Dias has once again become frustrated with how things are progressing, Pro League clubs are monitoring things closely and are keen on testing Liverpool’s resolve.
Al-Nassr set to approach Liverpool over Luis Díaz after receiving central approval to make a bid. Could be as high as €85m.
Unclear if Diaz wants to go to Saudi while Barcelona remains an option, but the Colombian winger is one of Al-Nassr’s top targets.
No urgency like… pic.twitter.com/SbnfobKSoI
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 3, 2025
Son Heung-min – Tottenham
While Ange Postecoglou might have guided Tottenham to Europa League success last month and handed Spurs a first trophy in 17 years, that famous night in Bilbao was not enough for the former Celtic boss.
Officially removed from his position in the north London dugout, Thomas Frank has since taken charge and it is no secret that the Danish tactician has a real overhaul on his hands this summer.
In what would certainly be considered a real changing of the guard, it appears that skipper Son Heung-min will be heading for the exit and ending his decade-long spell with the Lilywhites.
Now in the final 12 months of his deal in north London and with no signs of an extension on the horizon, it has been speculated that the South Korean poster boy has accepted that a move away is best.
With Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel making his initial loan switch a permanent move this month and continued links over a move for Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo, Son is far from guaranteed regular minutes next season.
Scoring 173 goals in his 454 appearances since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015, Son has certainly cemented his spot as a modern era icon in N17.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Son Heung-min is a target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League
Find out more from @SamWallaceTel ⬇️https://t.co/yZmGijFcHx#THFC pic.twitter.com/Wigmo1aXyD
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 3, 2025
Jadon Sancho – Manchester United
While Jadon Sancho might have been crowed a Europa Conference League winner with Chelsea last month, the Blues passed on the chance to make his move to west London a permanent one and instead paid a £5million penalty to send the player back to Manchester United.
Although the 25-year-old might have returned to Old Trafford, it is only expected to be short return and a permanent move away from Manchester appears to be a certainty.
Reportedly not part of Ruben Amorim’s first-team plans and not expected to be part of their pre-season preparations, United are desperate to get his reported £300,000-per-week wages off their books.
The England forward has a year remaining on his United contract, and the club still owe £17million to Borussia Dortmund following on from his £73million move back in 2021.
However, with Chelsea failing to agree on finances over a potential permanent move and shipping the one-time Manchester City starlet back to Old Trafford, Sancho finds himself at a real career crossroads.
While the Manchester United misfit might have been linked with another return to rural Germany, Saudi clubs are weighing up a potential summer swoop and are seen as a viable option to kickstart his career.
🚨 There is interest in Jadon Sancho from The Saudi Pro League.
[@JacobsBen] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Ku2vOqMaov
— United Update (@UnitedsUpdate) June 3, 2025
