Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor

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Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor

European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new.

It is one of the most feverish periods on soccer’s calendar, as ITKs – “In The Knows,” people with sources who break transfer news – battle it out on social media to be the first to reveal where a player is going next.

The transfer window for clubs in England and Scotland opened on June 14, but clubs will not be able to sign players from abroad until the international window opens on July 1. All of Europe’s top five leagues close their transfer windows on September 1.

This year, however, there is a significant new factor: Saudi Arabia.

In much the same way the Chinese Super League barged its way onto the scene several years ago with enormous transfer fees and player salaries, Saudi Arabia is now tempting some big names in Europe to move east for one final mammoth payday. That follows Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in December 2022.

CNN Sport is taking a look at the biggest transfers so far and others that are reportedly close to completion.

Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad
In the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. The deal is estimated to be worth more than 100 million euros ($106.89 million), according to media reports.

Now 35, Benzema has been one of the world’s best strikers for more than a decade, racking up an eye-watering number of trophies in his 14 seasons with Real Madrid, including five Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles.

His performances during the 2021/22 season – when Real won the Champions League and La Liga double – saw the Frenchman collect the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the men’s game last year.

Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid

Perhaps the most sought-after player in world soccer this summer, Jude Bellingham is taking his considerable talents to Real Madrid next season after Los Blancos paid Borussia Dortmund a reported €103 million ($110.4 million) for his signature.

Still only 19, Bellingham has grown into one of soccer’s most complete midfielders since moving to Dortmund from boyhood club Birmingham City in 2020 and has also become a key figure for the English national team.

After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart.

N’Golo Kanté – Chelsea to Al-Ittihad

The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media.

In his eight years in England, Kanté won two Premier League titles – the first as part of Leicester City’s improbable 5000-1 triumph – the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

Above all else, it’s his almost superhuman fitness that stands out, though he did struggle with injuries last season. So incredible has Kanté’s work rate been since he first arrived in England with Leicester in 2015, he has often been described as single-handedly covering the ground of two midfielders.

Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig to Chelsea

Three years after arriving at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku has established himself as one of European football’s most exciting forwards.

During the 2021/2022 season, the Frenchman scored 35 goals – including seven in six Champions League games – and registered 16 assists in all competitions. Nkunku followed up with another 23 goals in the 2022/2023 campaign as Leipzig won the German Cup for the second straight season.

Chelsea has reportedly paid Leipzig £53 million ($67.7 million) for Nkunku’s services, marking another significant outlay for the club’s American owner Todd Boehly, who will be hoping the 25-year-old can provide the firepower the team so desperately needs in attack.

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