Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat at centre of transfer tug-of-war between Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah

Al Ittihad have intensified their search for a new midfielder by targeting Morocco international Sofyan Amrabat, setting up a potential summer transfer battle with Saudi rivals Al Qadsiah – and adding fresh competition to fellow Moroccan Azzedine Ounahi for a move to the Jeddah club.

The Saudi Pro League champions are looking to reinforce the heart of their midfield before the new season and have now placed Amrabat, currently at Fenerbahce, high on their shortlist, according to reports in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Amrabat emerges as key target

Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, citing Turkish outlet Fanatik, reports that Al Ittihad are keen to sign Amrabat in the current transfer window but have not yet tabled a formal offer to Fenerbahce.

Al Qadsiah, however, have already made their move, submitting a bid worth €20m (£16.8m) to the Istanbul club in an attempt to secure the Moroccan’s services.

Any forthcoming proposal from Al Ittihad is expected to be in a similar financial range, setting up what could be a fierce domestic contest between the two Saudi sides for the 27-year-old midfielder.

Fenerbahce, the report adds, have yet to decide whether to sanction Amrabat’s departure. The Turkish giants are currently evaluating the bids received and assessing how the loss of the Moroccan would affect their squad going into next season.

Competition for Ounahi as Ittihad widen search

Amrabat is not the only Moroccan on Al Ittihad’s radar. Earlier reports linked the Jeddah club with a move for Azzedine Ounahi, who plays his club football with Girona.

The interest in Ounahi underlined Al Ittihad’s urgent need to strengthen central midfield, but the emergence of Amrabat as a parallel target suggests the club are exploring multiple high-profile options before committing to a final choice.

The dual pursuit could also be a strategic move to ensure the club land at least one major midfield reinforcement, as negotiations with European clubs and competing Saudi teams intensify in the closing weeks of the window.

Midfield overhaul high on Ittihad’s agenda

Al Ittihad have been repeatedly linked with a host of midfielders from across different leagues this summer.

Among the names mentioned are Egypt internationals Imam Ashour and Marwan Attia, both of whom play for Al Ahly. Nigeria’s Raphael Onyedika, currently at Belgian side Club Brugge, has also been cited as a potential recruit.

The repeated links underscore what club insiders describe as a pressing need to reshape and deepen the midfield department, with the coaching staff seeking a blend of physical presence, tactical discipline and creativity in the centre of the pitch.

Should Amrabat or Ounahi arrive, they would be expected to play a central role in that rebuild and to shoulder significant responsibility in domestic and continental competitions.

Fenerbahce weighing up options

For Fenerbahce, the situation presents both an opportunity and a dilemma.

The Turkish club stand to receive a sizeable fee if they accept either Al Qadsiah’s existing €20m offer or a similar bid from Al Ittihad. However, they must also consider Amrabat’s importance to their midfield balance and how readily they can replace him in the current market.

With multiple clubs now circling and the Saudi Pro League increasingly willing to pay premium fees, the decision in Istanbul is likely to shape not only Fenerbahce’s season but also the complexion of Al Ittihad’s and Al Qadsiah’s midfield plans for the coming campaign.