Saudi Pro League reveal transfer plans after big-spending summer

The Saudi Pro League has been one of the most active this summer

Clubs from the Gulf Kingdom have spent heavily this summer, attracting some of the biggest names in the game to the Middle East.

Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Rúben Neves, Jordan Hendersom, Riyad Mahrez and more have all moved to Saudi Arabia on lucrative contracts and have spent £350m on transfer fees so far this summer.

While that still doesn't compare to the £1.1bn spent by all 20 Premier League clubs combined this summer, their movements in the market have left food for thought.

"I think the budgets are in place for a number of years - you know, I don't see this slowing down," Hutton told the BBC.

"I've worked in sport for 40 years and I've never seen a project as big, ambitious and as determined to be a success.

"The investment from Saudi is remarkable. It's certainly been a big acceleration.

"This doesn't necessarily mean that Europe isn't going to be as strong in world football going forward. But I would say that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"It's good that football has strength around the world."

Earlier this summer the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) - who are also majority owners of Newcastle United - purchased majority stakes in the nation's four biggest clubs: Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr to supply them with the financial muscle to compete with the biggest clubs around the world.

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