It’s a broadly positive day for Saudi in the foreign press, with the conversation being led primarily by sports coverage and updates, in addition to some ink on the objectives of Saudi’s overhauled Foreign Investment Law.

Ivan Toney and Joao Cancelo signings for SPL clubs are just the start, Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel told the Associated Press. “This is only the beginning with more transfers on the pitch and more development off the pitch.” The Saudi transfer window came to an end yesterday. SPL clubs are expected to spend only around a third of last summer’s USD 957 purchase slip, the AP writes.

Arsenal’s rejection of Al Ittihad’s informal loan offer for Leandro Trossard also got ink in the New York Times’ Athletic. The offer included a EUR 5 mn fee, along with a commitment to buy the forward next summer with a price tag between EUR 20 mn and EUR 25 mn.

IN NON-SPORTING NEWS- Saudi’s recently-revamped Investment Law — which promises to level the playing field between foreign and local investors — is set to give investors a “one-time registration” process in a bid to cut red tape, but the law’s success will depend on its implementation, different stakeholders and pundits tell Bloomberg. Investors are waiting on “clear, actionable guidelines” on the law’s implementation, but are broadly optimistic that the overhaul will help significantly streamline procedures.

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