SAUDI TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES AFTER A $1 BILLION SPENDING SPREE

While that has led to accusations of "sportswashing" in a bid to improve the country's image in the face of its poor human rights record, Saudi Arabia has continued to spend lavishly as it seeks to raise the profile...

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — After an outlay of $1 billion, Saudi Arabia’s transfer window shut on Thursday with the oil-rich kingdom having announced itself as a new powerhouse in global soccer. Leading target Mohamed Salah may not have joined Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema by moving to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, but it seems inevitable more stars will eventually be lured away from Europe’s biggest clubs.

Liverpool last week reportedly rejected a bid worth 150 million pounds ($188 million) from Al-Ittihad for Salah and despite speculation a renewed offer would come before Thursday’s deadline, no deal was struck for the Egypt international.

There is, however, little suggestion Saudi Arabia’s spectacular spending will end there as the country has sought to buy its way into international sports, investing in recent years in golf, boxing, Formula One racing and tennis, as well as soccer.

While that has led to accusations of “sportswashing” in a bid to improve the country’s image in the face of its poor human rights record, Saudi Arabia has continued to spend lavishly as it seeks to raise the profile of its soccer league. Based on reported fees, Saudi clubs paid just over $1 billion on players, which would place it behind only the English Premier League in terms of global spending during the window.