Salah to Kane: the transfer rumours that set the Roshn Saudi League alight

The summer transfer window in the Roshn Saudi League was fuelled by more than confirmed deals, with speculation linking Saudi clubs to a host of the world’s biggest players. Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Bruno Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Junior all featured prominently in reports that captured supporters’ imaginations, even though many of the proposed moves did not materialise.

Saudi clubs did complete major international signings, including Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Al-Hilal. But much of the excitement surrounding the 2026 market came from the possibilities discussed away from the pitch. Had some of those rumours become reality, they could have significantly changed the shape of the competition.

Salah linked with Al-Ittihad

Mohamed Salah remained one of the names most closely associated with Al-Ittihad throughout the window. Reports about the club’s interest in the Egypt forward had circulated for much of the year, particularly as his time with Liverpool came to an end and speculation grew over his next destination.

Saudi interest in Salah had already reached significant levels in previous years, making his return to the transfer headlines unsurprising. However, the former Liverpool player ultimately chose a different path and joined Turkish club Trabzonspor.

That decision left the proposed move to Al-Ittihad as one of the biggest stories to capture the imagination of the club’s supporters without becoming a completed transfer.

Al-Hilal weigh up attacking options

Harry Kane was strongly linked with Al-Hilal, with reports also connecting the club with fellow England striker Ollie Watkins. In the end, Al-Hilal opted for Watkins and completed a deal for the Aston Villa forward.

Victor Osimhen was another major name connected with the club as it searched for a world-class striker. Those reports made Al-Hilal’s attacking plans one of the most closely watched issues of the window.

Vinicius Junior was also at the centre of extensive speculation over a possible move to Saudi Arabia. Both Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli were mentioned as potential destinations for the Real Madrid forward. A deal involving the Brazil international would have represented one of the most dramatic developments of the entire transfer period.

Instead, Al-Hilal focused its efforts on Martinelli, who moved from Arsenal in a major transfer. He joined Summerville and Watkins as part of an almost entirely new-look attacking group at the club.

Fernandes and De Bruyne remain on the market

The rumours extended beyond forwards. Bruno Fernandes was heavily linked with a move to the Saudi league, with Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad all reportedly interested in the Manchester United midfielder.

Fernandes eventually decided to remain at Manchester United, bringing an end to speculation over one of the window’s potentially biggest deals.

Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, was associated with Al-Qadsiah and its ambitious plans to recruit leading international players. The club had already begun establishing itself as an emerging force capable of attracting major names, underlined by its long-term signing of Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City.

De Bruyne’s possible move, however, remained at the speculation stage. Al-Qadsiah continued to develop its project through other signings rather than completing a deal for the Belgium international.

Robert Lewandowski was also strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, particularly Al-Ittihad, after his departure from Barcelona. Reports claimed that the Poland striker had been offered a huge contract, but he chose not to accept it and pursued a different career path.

Other defensive and goalkeeping names featured in the rumours. Virgil van Dijk was mentioned in connection with Saudi clubs looking to strengthen at the back, while Son Heung-min was reported as a possible target for Al-Ittihad. High-profile goalkeepers including Alisson Becker and Ederson were also linked with moves.

Taken together, the speculation showed how the Roshn Saudi League’s ambitions have expanded in 2026. The competition is no longer discussed only as a destination for established players approaching the end of their careers. Saudi clubs are now regularly part of conversations involving some of the most prominent footballers in the world, even when negotiations do not lead to an agreement.

Some rumours developed into completed transfers, others became targets that failed to progress, while several remained no more than transfer-window talk. Their combined impact was nevertheless clear: the Roshn Saudi League occupied a daily place in the global transfer conversation.

The links involving Salah, Kane, Osimhen, Vinicius Junior, Fernandes, De Bruyne, Lewandowski and Van Dijk also illustrated the scale of ambition within Saudi football. Several dreams were realised, while others have been postponed until future windows.

The next question is which world-famous player will move from being the subject of speculation to becoming the signing that truly shakes up the Roshn Saudi League.