The summer transfer period in the Saudi Professional League this year witnessed heavy-caliber deals, while Al-Ittihad topped the list of the most expensive deals.

The curtain came down yesterday evening, Monday, on the Saudi Mercato, which began on July 18, during which the Roshen League clubs were able to strengthen their ranks in preparation for the challenges of the new season.

According to the statistics of the Transfermarkt website, Saudi League clubs concluded 319 deals this summer, with a total spending amounting to 482,552,415 euros.

Although the volume of spending is much less than last summer (950,378,777 euros), which witnessed a revolution in Saudi contracts, huge deals were present.

The transfer of Frenchman Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad from Aston Villa for 60 million euros is considered the most expensive among the Saudi League deals this summer.

The value of the most expensive deal in the Saudi League decreased this summer, after Al Hilal included Neymar da Silva from Paris Saint-Germain for 90 million euros last summer, which is also the most expensive deal in the history of the competition.

Al-Nasr has 4 deals on the list of the 10 most expensive transfers this summer, compared to 3 for Al-Hilal, noting that 2 of the “Al-Alami” deals shared last place with the same value.

Yellow included Frenchman Mohamed Simakan from Leipzig for 45 million euros on the last day of the Mercato, while Brazilian Angelo Gabriel was included from Chelsea for 23 million euros on the same day.

Brazilian Al-Nasr duo Pinto Mateus and Wesley Gasova joined the list, sharing last place with a value of 18 million euros each.

On the other hand, Al-Hilal included only 3 players permanently this summer, and the names of the trio were on the list of the 10 most expensive deals in the Saudi League, noting that it also borrowed the services of Khaled Al-Ghannam from Al-Ettifaq for one season.

Marcus Leonardo, coming from Benfica, is considered the leader’s most expensive deal this summer, as he came for 40 million euros, while Miteb Al-Harbi joined from Al-Shabab for 28.95 million euros, which is the most expensive deal for a Saudi player in history.

The Saudi League champion also strengthened his ranks with Portuguese Joao Cancelo, coming from Manchester City for 25 million euros, after he was close to Barcelona.

The name of Al-Ittihad appeared on the list of the most expensive in a deal other than Diaby, as it included the Dutch general Steven Bergwijn, coming from Ajax, for 21 million euros on the last day of the Mercato.

As for Al-Ahly, it contented itself with only two deals this summer, one of which was on the list of the most expensive, by including Ivan Toney, coming from Brentford, for 42 million euros, which is the third most expensive deal in the Saudi League.

The Mercato surprise this season, Al-Qadisiyah, which returned to the professional league, and which was the most active club, appeared on the list of the most expensive with one deal for Ezequiel Fernandez, who came from Boca Juniors for 18.70 million euros.

What is striking about the list of the most expensive this year is that it witnessed the presence of a Saudi player, Mutaib Al-Harbi, after the locals were absent from this list last season.

List of the 10 most expensive deals

1- Moussa Diaby (Al-Ittihad)... 60 million euros.

2- Muhammad Simakan (Al-Nasr)... 45 million euros.

3- Ivan Toni (Al-Ahly)... 42 million euros.

4- Marcos Leonardo (Al Hilal)... 40 million euros.

5- Mutaib Al-Harbi (Al-Hilal)... 28.95 million euros.

6- Joao Cancelo (Al Hilal)... 25 million euros.

7- Angelo Gabriel (Al-Nasr)... 23 million euros.

8- Steven Bergwijn (Al-Ittihad)... 21 million euros.

9- Ezequiel Fernandez (Al-Qadisiyah).. 18.70 million euros.

10- Pinto Mateus (Al-Nasr)... 18 million euros.

10= Wesley Gasova (Al-Nassr).. 18 million euros.