5 Saudi Pro League stars who should leave this January - ranked

Just six short months ago, optimism was rife around the potential growth of the Saudi Pro League.

Thanks to the mega money contracts being handed out, Saudi clubs were able to poach some genuinely world class talents from top European clubs — including Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from under the noses of Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus.

Fast forward to January 2024, and things have already all gone Pete Tong.

Fans still aren't turning up to stadiums, the standard of football being played is still subpar, and the highly-paid footballers are now keen to return to Europe.

Here's five players, thought to be disgruntled in some way, shape or formm who should be hellbent on leaving the Middle East in January.

Current club: Al Nassr
Potential destinations: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich

Aymeric Laporte recently exclaimed, despite the ridiculous wages being paid out, that "many players are dissatisfied" with their moves to Saudi Arabia.

As one of said players, Laporte should probably be eyeing a move back to Europe this January — especially when clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are potentially looking for centre-back cover — as he can undoubtedly do a job for a top European club right now.

The only thing that may keep him in Saudi until the summer is the hunt for silverware, with his Cristiano Ronaldo-led club Al Nassr being right in the middle of a title race this season.

'Should leave' rating: 7/10

Current club: Al Hilal
Potential destinations: Any top Serie A club

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic reportedly turned down advances from Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer to sign a £17m-a-year contract at Al Hilal.

As expected, the 28-year-old is now regretting that decision.

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