Five players who could leave Saudi Arabia this summer

Cameron Smith

• 29 Apr 2024 07:40 CDT
• 8 min read

The Saudi Pro League emerged with briefcases full of cash last summer as they convinced dozens of football’s biggest stars to leave Europe for the Middle East.

Some of the sport’s most high-profile names opted to move to Saudi Arabia due to the enormous financial reward for doing so, and the richest league in world football is expected to spend a similar amount of money this year.

However, many stars may look to leave the Saudi Pro League in order to return to the European games. Jordan Henderson was the first, joining Ajax in January, and several others are expected to follow suit this summer.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through five players who could leave Saudi Arabia this summer.

READ MORE: Five players who could leave Chelsea this summer

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

Karim Benzema, winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or, left Real Madrid to join Al-Ittihad on a free transfer last year, but he has been frequently linked with a return to Europe ever since.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United were all interested in the Frenchman during the January transfer window, while a sensational return to Real Madrid could be on the cards too.

Benzema was involved in a public rift with Nuno Espirito Santo before he was sacked and has endured a similarly troublesome relationship with his replacement Marcelo Gallardo. A summer exit is therefore a feasible option.

READ MORE: Five players who could leave Arsenal this summer

Roberto Firmino (Al-Ahli)

Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino left Anfield on a free transfer last summer and his time in Saudi Arabia has been a disappointment from a personal perspective.

He hasn’t been clinical at all, and while he has frequently worn the captain’s armband, a return to Europe has been touted as a possibility.

Firmino is still only 32 years old and would still be a useful squad player for any top European side, which could lead to a summer move.

Gabri Veiga (Al-Ahli)

Gabri Veiga was linked with almost every elite European club last summer, but he opted for a shock move to the Saudi Pro League instead.

The young Spaniard has seen his career stagnate in a very poor league and if he wants to maximise his career, he will seek a return to Europe this year.

Jota (Al-Ittihad)

Jota was sublime at Celtic, but his move to Saudi Arabia couldn’t have gone worse. He was excluded from their Saudi Pro League squad after the aforementioned Espirito Santo opted against registering him as a foreign player, with the limit capped at eight.

He has been reintroduced into the fold by Gallardo, but Jota could look to end his Saudi nightmare by returning to Europe this summer.

Seko Fofana (Al-Nassr)

Seko Fofana was a legend at RC Lens, but he left the club less than a year after a packed out crowd watched him sign a contract extension at their stadium.

After six months at Al-Nassr, he was loaned to Al-Ettifaq in January, suggesting his long-term future may not be in Saudi Arabia.

He is good enough to make a difference in Europe and he clearly isn’t wanted by Al-Nassr, so an exit could be on the cards.