Al Hilal's Top 10 Most Expensive Signings
A look at Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal's record transfers, including Neymar and Gabriel Martinelli, who joined for large fees.
Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal have spent heavily on their ten most expensive signings. The Riyadh-based club, a dominant force in Asian football, has repeatedly broken transfer records to bring global stars to the AFC region.
The list highlights a decade of ambitious recruitment. It features Brazilian superstars, European internationals, and players arriving at the peak of their careers. These investments have contributed to Al Hilal's domestic and continental success, including four AFC Champions League titles.
The Record Arrivals
Spending peaked with the signing of Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian's €90 million move in 2023 stands as the most expensive in Al Hilal's history. However, his tenure was plagued by injury. He made only seven appearances before his contract was terminated in January 2025.
The second-largest outlay secured Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal. The Athletic's David Ornstein reported the fee at €70 million in 2026. Martinelli's arrival signaled the club's intent to add a prime-aged attacker after he fell down the pecking order at the London club.
Mid-Table Investments
A series of signings in a high-value range have formed the core of the squad. Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville joined from West Ham United for €64.5 million after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He reportedly turned down Premier League interest for the move.
Other major acquisitions in this bracket include former Zenit Saint Petersburg forward Malcom (€60 million), Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (€58.4 million), and Liverpool's Darwin Núñez (€53 million). Núñez's first season was difficult, yielding nine goals before he was loaned to Al-Diriyah.
Key Contributors and Departures
Several players on the list delivered significant returns before departing. Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrović, a €52.6 million signing from Fulham, scored 68 goals in 79 appearances. He left for Al Rayyan in September 2025.
Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves, a €55 million arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has made 138 appearances and won six trophies. Sergej Milinković-Savić, another €40 million signing, has played nearly 150 matches and scored 44 goals from midfield.
Young Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo also cost €40 million from Benfica. He scored 48 goals in 82 games, including a brace that knocked Manchester City out of the 2025 Club World Cup, before a foreign player limit prompted his sale to Ajax.
Transfer Fee Breakdown
The source provides a clear ranking of the ten most expensive signings, with fees spanning from €40 million to €90 million.
| Rank | Player | Previous Club | Reported Fee (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neymar | Paris Saint-Germain | 90 million |
| 2 | Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal | 70 million |
| 3 | Crysencio Summerville | West Ham United | 64.5 million |
| 4 | Malcom | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 60 million |
| 5 | Ollie Watkins | Aston Villa | 58.4 million |
| 6 | Rúben Neves | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 55 million |
| 7 | Darwin Núñez | Liverpool | 53 million |
| 8 | Aleksandar Mitrović | Fulham | 52.6 million |
| 9 | Sergej Milinković-Savić | Lazio | 40 million |
| 10 | Marcos Leonardo | Benfica | 40 million |
The report notes that Malcom recently joined Emirati side Al Jazira after his contract was terminated.
