Money

Saudi Pro League (SPL) clubs splashed out almost one billion dollars in the transfer window in a bid to boost the domestic competition by attracting some of the world's leading players, according to analysis from Deloitte published on Friday.

How much did Saudi Pro League spend in 2023 summer transfer window?

The outlay of $957 million in the Saudi window, which closed on Sept. 7, exceeded the spending of four of Europe's 'big five' leagues with only England's Premier League clubs splurging more on transfers than those in the Middle Eastern nation.

Folarin Balogun is nearing a big move from Arsenal to French club AS Monaco as it was reported by journalist Fabrice Hawkins on Thursday that the two clubs reached an agreement. The Balogun Monaco transfer would be permanent for €45 million ($48.6 million).

Balogun Monaco transfer

Spain beat England 1-0 on Sunday in a Women's World Cup final that pitted the two European countries with the strongest domestic leagues against each other.

The Women's World Cup, which began in 1991, has had nine tournaments to date. Meanwhile, men's world cup, started in 1930, has had 22 tournaments so far. 

Here is a comparison between men's and women's soccer over the years.

Men's Versus Women's Soccer Money Comparison

Highest World Cup Prize Purse

Christian Pulisic had a memorable Serie A debut with AC Milan on Monday setting up one goal and scoring one of his own in a 2-0 victory vs. Bologna.

Pulisic’s goal vs. Bologna is arguably one of the best goals in his career. In the 21st minute the USMNT star linked up beautifully with his former Chelsea teammate Olivier Giroud and then rifled a shot from 20 yards out.

Despite three Bologna defenders around him, Pulisic still got his shot off. Bologna’s goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski had no chance saving that one.

Saudi Arabia is attempting what China failed to do in the late 2010s and attract the big soccer names away from Europe to their country’s top league. The list of players going to Saudi Arabia or that have been linked grows by the day.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the first major domino to fall in December when the Portuguese star joined Al Nassr and is expected to make $75 million a year.

Brazil forward Neymar Jr. is headed for Saudi Arabia after Pro League side Al Hilal agreed a two-year deal with Paris St Germain, Saudi state media reported on Monday.

There was no immediate comment from the Ligue 1 champions, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, but French newspaper L'Equipe said the deal could net 31-year-old Neymar 160 million euros ($175 million).

The transfer fee was reported to be about 90 million euros plus add-ons and subject to completing a medical.

LONDON — Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion, according to media reports on Sunday which said the fee would be a British record.

Sky Sports reported that Chelsea will pay 115 million pounds ($145.98 million), eclipsing the previous mark set when they bought Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for 106.8 million pounds in January.

It added that Caicedo would sign an eight-year contract, with the Blues paying 100 million pounds plus 15 million in add-ons.

Editors Note: Updated in August 2023 to include most recent salary and annual income estimates for Sam Kerr.

The NWSL tried to change its rules to help keep top foreign talent in the league, but it clearly wasn’t enough. One of the best players in the world left the NWSL in 2020 for England; one look at Sam Kerr's salary and her contract with Chelsea shows why.