Aston Villa, a Birmingham-based professional football club, has emerged as the biggest European beneficiary of Saudi Pro League transfer spending since summer 2023, generating €195.4 million ($226.9 million) from player sales to Saudi clubs.

The English Premier League club, Aston Villa, part-owned by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, leads a ranking of European clubs that have earned the most from Saudi teams during the period, highlighting the growing financial link between Saudi football investment and Europe’s major leagues.

Aston Villa leads Saudi transfer income

Three major transfers have driven Aston Villa’s position at the top of the ranking. The club received €77 million ($89.4 million) from Al Nassr for Jhon Durán, €60 million ($69.6 million) from Al Ittihad for Moussa Diaby and €58.4 million ($67.8 million) from Al Hilal for Ollie Watkins.

According to Spanish sports newspaper Marca, Manchester City ranks second among European clubs with €148.5 million ($172.4 million) in transfer proceeds from Saudi clubs since summer 2023. Liverpool follows with €113.7 million ($132 million). Porto generated €110 million ($127.7 million), while Paris Saint-Germain recorded €103 million ($119.6 million). Chelsea followed with $115.5 million (€99.5 million).

Atalanta, Arsenal, West Ham and Zenit complete the top 10, with proceeds of $95 million (€81.75 million), $81 million (€70 million), $75 million (€64.5 million) and $69.6 million (€60 million), respectively. Six Premier League clubs feature among the 10 biggest European beneficiaries, underscoring the scale of Saudi investment in England’s top flight.

Saudi clubs deepen presence in transfer market

Manchester City’s total includes $70.8 million (€61 million) from Tijjani Reijnders’ move to Al Qadsiah, alongside deals involving Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo.

Liverpool’s Saudi-related transfer income includes $61.5 million (€53 million) from Darwin Nunez, $54.2 million (€46.7 million) from Fabinho and $16.2 million (€14 million) from Jordan Henderson.

Saudi clubs have also continued to feature prominently among the competition’s most expensive transfers. Since the 2023-24 season, 19 of the 50 most expensive transfers in Saudi Pro League history have been completed.

This summer, Al Hilal signed Gabriel Martinelli for $81.3 million (€70 million) and Crysencio Summerville for $75 million (€64.5 million). Martinelli’s deal now ranks third among the league’s most expensive transfers, behind Neymar’s $104.5 million (€90 million) move and Durán’s $89.4 million (€77 million) transfer.

Al Hilal leads Saudi spending

Al Hilal has been the Saudi Pro League’s biggest spender since summer 2023, committing €856.99 million ($995.25 million) to transfers, of which €632.84 million went to clubs in Europe’s five major leagues. Al Nassr ranks second with €436.83 million in total spending, followed by Al Ittihad with €414.18 million.

The spending has created an increasingly important revenue channel for European clubs, particularly those seeking to monetize established players at substantial transfer values.

For Saudi football, the continued flow of high-value transfers into the league is strengthening its position in the global football market. For European clubs, it provides another lucrative buyer base for player sales.

The next test will be whether Saudi clubs sustain or increase their spending, as the growing number of high-value deals continues to deepen the financial relationship between the Saudi Pro League and Europe’s leading football markets.