Soccer

Saudi clubs obliged to sell foreign stars before buying amid Mohamed Salah links

All 18 top-flight sides are currently at their maximum of eight overseas players over the age of 21, the Pro League said.

Any Saudi club looking to recruit Mohamed Salah, pictured, in January will need to sell a foreign player before they can buy, the Pro League has said
Any Saudi club looking to recruit Mohamed Salah, pictured, in January will need to sell a foreign player before they can buy, the Pro League has said (James Manning/PA)
By Jamie Gardner, PA Chief Sports Reporter

Saudi clubs looking to draft in new overseas stars next month will need to sell before they can buy.

Star names such as Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior have been linked with moves to the Middle East kingdom, but the Saudi Pro League (SPL) confirmed on Monday that all 18 clubs are currently at their maximum quota of eight foreign players over the age of 21.

The league said that would require clubs to “terminate contracts, sell players, or deregister squad members” in order to add new players in the winter window.

“The SPL will work closely with clubs and the Financial Sustainability Committee to ensure compliance with league policies and regulations,” a league statement read.

The league confirmed 20 of the 36 slots for under-21 foreign players were still open.

The league said it had held a series of “intensive workshops” with its clubs, in order to “assess their specific needs and objectives for the winter transfer window”.

“These workshops aim to provide tailored support to clubs, enabling them to continue achieving success on and off the pitch,” the statement said.

Al Hilal chief executive Esteve Calzada said at Leaders Week London in October that his club had reached its limit on foreign signings, amid speculation linking the club with Salah.

The Egyptian’s current deal with Liverpool ends in the summer, and he told Sky Sports on Sunday that a conclusion to his contract situation was still “far away”.

Speculation has linked Al Hilal’s marquee foreign star Neymar with a move to Inter Miami, which would free up a slot with the Riyadh club, who will take part in next summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.