Diriyah are set to sign Pedro Goncalves from Sporting Lisbon after agreeing a lucrative deal for the Portugal international winger, beating Al Ahli and Al Ittihad to one of the standout transfers of the Saudi summer window.
The newly promoted club to the Saudi Pro League, officially known as the Roshn Saudi League, have reached an agreement in principle with Goncalves over a move in the current transfer window, according to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah.
The 28-year-old is expected to sign a two-year contract with Diriyah, with an option for a third season. Across the length of the deal, he will receive a total salary package worth €30m.
Medical imminent before finalising move
Goncalves is due to undergo a medical examination in the coming hours. Once that is completed, he is expected to sign his contract formally before linking up with Diriyah’s training camp.
The deal was sealed on the recommendation of Diriyah’s new Portuguese head coach Bruno Lage, who placed Goncalves at the top of his list of transfer priorities. The club then moved decisively to secure an agreement with the Sporting Lisbon star.
Diriyah’s capture of Goncalves represents another statement of intent from the league newcomers, who have now outmanoeuvred several of Saudi Arabia’s traditional heavyweights in successive transfer battles.
Diriyah outbid Al Ahli and Al Ittihad
A number of Saudi clubs had been monitoring Goncalves in recent weeks, with Al Ahli and Al Ittihad at the forefront of the interest in the 28-year-old. Diriyah, however, were able to convince the player to make the switch to the capital-based side.
It follows an earlier blow dealt to Al Ahli this summer, when Diriyah struck a deal to sign Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye. The experienced midfielder agreed to join the promoted club after his contract with Everton came to an end.
Goncalves a key figure at Sporting
Goncalves has been one of Sporting Lisbon’s leading players in recent seasons, having joined the club in 2020 from Famalicao after youth spells with Valencia and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His most notable individual achievement came in his debut campaign with Sporting in 2020-21, when he finished as the Primeira Liga’s top scorer and played a central role in securing the league title for the Lisbon side.
During his time in the Portuguese capital, Goncalves has helped Sporting win the league championship three times. He has also lifted the Taca de Portugal once, the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira once, and the Taca da Liga on two occasions.
On the international stage, he was part of the Portugal squad that won the UEFA Nations League in 2025.
Last season, Goncalves made 41 appearances for Sporting Lisbon in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing nine assists, underlining the level of attacking contribution Diriyah are seeking to add as they prepare for their first campaign in the Roshn Saudi League.
