Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad target Egypt’s Marwan Attia and Nigeria’s Raphael Onyedika to rebuild midfield after Kante and Fabinho exits

Al Ittihad have identified Egypt international Marwan Attia and Nigeria’s Raphael Onyedika as leading options to overhaul their midfield following the departures of N’Golo Kante and Fabinho, according to Saudi sports daily Arriyadiyah.

The Jeddah club, one of the Saudi Pro League’s most prominent sides, is understood to be actively searching for a new defensive midfielder, with both the Al Ahly player and the Club Bruges star high on their shortlist.

Arriyadiyah reports that Al Ittihad are moving to reinforce the holding midfield role after parting ways with Brazilian Fabinho and French World Cup winner Kante, two of the biggest names to have joined the Saudi project in recent seasons.

Dual pursuit: Attia and Onyedika under consideration

Citing club sources, the Saudi newspaper says Al Ittihad have placed Raphael Onyedika of Belgian champions Club Bruges and Al Ahly’s Marwan Attia among their priority targets to strengthen the defensive midfield position.

The same outlet had previously reported that the club’s hierarchy were examining a move not only for Attia but also for his Egypt team-mate Emam Ashour. Any formal approach, however, is said to be contingent on a final technical assessment.

Al Ittihad are understood to be awaiting a definitive verdict from German head coach Jens Wissing before opening official talks with the Egyptian champions Al Ahly over Attia – or advancing on any other midfield target.

World Cup 2026 performances boost interest

Both Attia and Ashour are believed to have significantly raised their profiles after impressing for Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Arriyadiyah notes that the pair’s form at the tournament in North America has helped put them firmly on the radar of Al Ittihad, who are under pressure to rebuild a midfield that has lost two of its most experienced players in Kante and Fabinho.

While no bid has yet been lodged, the club’s interest in Attia and Onyedika underscores the Saudi Pro League side’s continued strategy of recruiting from both European leagues and leading African and Arab clubs.

Attia’s Al Ahly future and career record

Marwan Attia, 27, has established himself as a key figure for Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team.

Over the course of his professional career, he has accumulated 250 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing 11 assists. His profile as a disciplined, deep-lying midfielder has drawn comparisons with classic holding midfielders, valued more for their positional play and work rate than for prolific attacking returns.

Crucially for Al Ahly, Attia is tied to the Cairo giants on a long-term contract running until the summer of 2029. That lengthy deal means any potential transfer would likely require a substantial offer and protracted negotiations, particularly given his growing influence for club and country.

No figures have yet been mentioned in local reports, and neither Al Ahly nor Al Ittihad have publicly commented on the speculation.

Strategic rebuild at Al Ittihad

The pursuit of Attia and Onyedika comes at a pivotal moment for Al Ittihad, who are reshaping their squad after a turbulent period and high-profile exits.

With the club looking to remain competitive domestically and in continental competition, securing a high-calibre defensive midfielder is seen as a priority. The final decision now rests with coach Jens Wissing, whose technical evaluation is expected to determine whether Al Ittihad move from interest to formal negotiations in the coming weeks.