The Saudi Pro League is already drawing up plans for another major push in the transfer market, with two of Europe’s biggest names being monitored as potential headline arrivals in the summer of 2026.
Club officials in Saudi Arabia have made no secret of their ambition to keep attracting elite players, and the league’s recruitment teams are now looking beyond the next window. The focus, according to people familiar with the strategy, is on landing a pair of proven stars who could raise both the competition level and global attention.
One of the players on the shortlist is Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah. The 32-year-old remains one of the Premier League’s most reliable attackers and a massive commercial draw. Saudi clubs have previously explored a move for Salah, and interest has not gone away. With the forward approaching the later stages of his career, decision-makers in the Gulf believe 2026 could be the right moment to present an offer that works for all sides.
The other name being tracked is Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. Widely regarded as one of the best playmakers of his generation, De Bruyne would be seen as a statement signing capable of transforming any squad. His contract situation and long-term future in England will continue to be watched closely, with the expectation that Saudi clubs will be prepared to act quickly if an opening appears.
The league’s approach is understood to be part of a wider plan to keep the Saudi Pro League in the conversation with Europe’s top competitions. Since launching an aggressive recruitment drive, clubs have brought in a string of high-profile players, using major wages and ambitious sporting projects to convince stars to make the move.
While no deal is close at this stage, the early groundwork highlights how far in advance Saudi clubs now operate. Contact networks, financial planning and squad building are being mapped out well ahead of time, especially for targets of this level.
For Salah and De Bruyne, both remain central figures at their current clubs, and any move would depend on a mix of sporting goals, contract talks and personal plans. But with Saudi teams determined to secure another marquee face for 2026, their names are set to remain near the top of the league’s wish list.
