The Saudi Pro League is laying the foundations for an ambitious summer move for Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Sky Sports News understands that SPL bosses have already made preliminary inquiries about bringing one of the game’s biggest assets to the country from Paris Saint-Germain in 2026.
With what is expected to be a busy summer for player trades in the Middle East after this summer’s World Cup, a major package is being prepared to lure French players to Saudi Arabia.
Dembele won the treble with PSG and was named the best player in the world.
Saudi Arabia’s first cycle of investment in the world’s top players ends this year, and the country is now working on the next wave of top talent to enter the league, as many current international stars reach the end of their contracts.
Sky Sports News has contacted Dembele’s inner circle for a response, but they insist there will be no change in attitude this season. He is fully focused on PSG, trying to win the Champions League and the French title again, and will then be fully focused on the World Cup with France.
But then Dembele’s future and a potential dramatic move to Saudi Arabia at the peak of his career could be firmly on the table.
Sky Sports News understands that PSG are ready to start negotiations over a new deal with Dembele as he has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract, but president Nasser Al-Khelaifi warned this week that all players must fit into the club’s salary structure.
“As everyone knows, the club’s policy is to have a salary cap for players. Everyone has to respect that. The team and the club are more important than anyone else,” the Qatari told French media.
Dembélé helped PSG win a historic treble, including their first Champions League title, and was named the Ballon d’Or winner last year. Dembele played 53 games for PSG last season, scoring 35 goals and providing 14 assists.
The 28-year-old has scored 49 goals in 115 appearances since joining PSG from Barcelona in 2023 for £43 million.
Can Saudi Arabia pull off its biggest move since CR7?
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News:
“If this happens, it will be the biggest deal for Saudi Arabia since they signed Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Saudi Professional League clubs are expecting a big summer transfer window and one of the players they are considering signing is Ousmane Dembele.
“Is there any chance of that happening? I think it’s unlikely, but the football landscape in Saudi Arabia is changing.
“For a long time clubs were effectively funded and controlled by the state, and a situation has arisen where some of the biggest clubs are owned by sovereign wealth funds.
“Right now we are in a situation where clubs are opening up and attracting private investment. So not only will Saudi state funds be invested in these clubs and big name transfers, but private investors will also be willing to spend their own money to sign players.”
“There is a good chance they will try to sign him, but it remains to be seen whether he will want to go to Saudi Arabia when he reaches the height of power.”
