Media reports have revealed serious moves by officials of the Saudi Professional Football League to pave the way for a major deal in the summer of 2026, by signing French star Ousmane Dembélé, the Paris Saint-Germain player and Ballon d’Or winner.
It was mentioned that senior officials of the Saudi League have already begun making initial inquiries regarding the possibility of his transfer to one of the league’s clubs, a step that reflects the continuation of the Saudi strategy aimed at attracting elite global football stars.
A Massive Financial Offer After the World Cup
According to the report, preparations are underway for a major financial offer to convince the French international to embark on a new experience in the Saudi stadiums, to take place after his anticipated participation in the World Cup next summer. Expectations indicate that the summer of 2026 will be full of major moves in the Middle Eastern transfer market, amid shifting power balances and changing priorities for a number of global stars.
Observers believe the timing is not random, as there is a desire to capitalize on the global momentum accompanying the tournament, and on the players’ technical and mental readiness after the championship, to raise the level of competitiveness and media presence of the league.
A New Phase of Football Investments
This move comes within the framework of a new phase of Saudi investments in football, where reports indicate that the first wave of signings with top-tier stars is nearing its end this year, as the contracts of a number of international players who previously joined the league are approaching their conclusion.
In contrast, the responsible authorities are working to inject a “second wave” of stars, targeting players at the peak of their footballing performance, not just big names at the end of their careers, which applies to Dembélé’s case.
An Exceptional Season and the Ballon d’Or
He was crowned with the Ballon d’Or last year, after a historic season with his club, during which he led the team to achieve an unprecedented treble, including winning the UEFA Champions League title for the first time in the club’s history.
The French player posted impressive numbers, scoring 35 goals and providing 14 decisive assists in 53 matches last season, confirming his transformation into one of the most prominent and influential stars in world football in the attacking third.
Numbers and Career with Paris
Since his move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2023 for £43 million, Dembélé (28 years old) has played 115 matches in the Parisian club’s shirt, scoring 49 goals, alongside his crucial contributions in domestic and continental championships.
Dembélé is currently viewed as one of the pillars of the Paris Saint-Germain project, which makes the idea of his departure complex, but not impossible given the huge financial temptations that may be offered to him.
