Arsenal are the summer’s biggest spenders so far but Al Hilal are set to prove Saudi Pro League really does mean business

It’s amazing to see how Arsenal has transformed in the transfer market. Not too long ago, they struggled to keep hold of their best players, but now they’re setting the tone. However, there’s a new emerging force in Saudi Arabia that could soon overtake them.

The Saudi Pro League has been making headlines recently, with teams in the league spending big. The summer window started off with Real Madrid making a statement by paying a potential British-record fee for Jude Bellingham. Newcastle also continued their big spending with the arrival of Sandro Tonali, and Liverpool strengthened their midfield as expected.

But it was Arsenal who really made waves in the transfer market. They brought in Kai Havertz from Chelsea, followed by Jurrien Timber from Ajax, and then broke their transfer record for Declan Rice. All of these signings amounted to a whopping £197m, making them the world’s top spenders according to transfermarkt.

However, their reign at the top may be short-lived. The Saudi takeover of the four biggest clubs in the league has accelerated the spending in the Saudi Pro League. Reigning champions Al Ittihad made some impressive signings, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho. Al Ahli now boasts a front-line consisting of Allan Saint-Maximin, Roberto Firmino, and Riyad Mahrez. And Al Hilal, who battled Inter Miami for Lionel Messi’s services, responded by breaking the league’s transfer record multiple times.

Al Hilal’s spending has reached £152m for the summer, putting them in second place behind Arsenal in terms of worldwide spending. And with the impending arrival of Marco Verratti and a reported offer for Victor Osimhen, they could soon take the top spot.

It’s incredible to see how the landscape of football is changing. Just a year ago, it would have been unimaginable for Saudi clubs to be competing with the elite in terms of spending. But now, with the likes of Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus leading the way, they are challenging the top divisions in Europe.

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Arsenal AFC have made a statement in the summer transfer window so far, becoming the biggest spenders across the Premier League and Europe. Despite this, Al Hilal are set to prove their worth and show that the Saudi Pro League is a force to be reckoned with.

Having completed the signings of both Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes in the past week, Arsenal have forked out nearly £60 million since the transfer window opened. Zech Medley and re-signing Dani Ceballos have only added to the mounting costs, being splashed out by the London based club. Despite their hefty spending, Arsenal are not the only ones ready to prove their financial prowess.

Al Hilal are sure to give the Premier League and European teams a run for their money in the coming days. With Bafetimbi Gomis already the first of two big signings, the Saudi Pro League team are set to make good on the promise of financial stability.

The club is said to be in the market for a “marquee signing” in a bid to boost the club’s profile and demonstrate its ambition for the 2020/21 season. Sources suggest that Eintracht Frankfurt forward Andre Silva is the player that they are after, with rumours of a £22 million bid being proposed.

What’s for sure is that Al Hilal aren’t playing around, and want to show the rest of the world that Saudi Pro League can really mean business. While this could be seen as in direct response to Arsenal’s spending, the fact remains that both teams are proving to be entities in the market.

It remains to be seen who will come out on top in the summer window, and who will prove to have made the smartest purchases. However, all signs are pointing to a period of intense competition between the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League.