Hilal eye Riyadh youngster Al Siyahi as transfer battle with Al Qadsiah heats up after Summerville deal

Al Hilal have moved to rival Al Qadsiah for Riyadh midfielder Ahmed Al Siyahi, only hours after confirming the high-profile signing of Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville.

The Saudi Pro League champions announced on Friday that Summerville had joined from West Ham United on a four-year contract running until 2030, before swiftly turning their attention to strengthening the squad further with one of the domestic league’s leading young talents.

According to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Hilal have now entered the race for 21-year-old Al Siyahi, regarded as one of the standout emerging players in the Roshn Saudi League, in a move that puts them in direct competition with Al Qadsiah.

Al Qadsiah deal under threat

Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Al Qadsiah had been on the verge of completing a deal for Al Siyahi, with talks at an advanced stage, before Hilal intervened late on to become serious contenders for his signature.

Riyadh are said to have rejected Al Qadsiah’s initial offer, judging the financial proposal to be insufficient. In response, the Eastern Province club decided to increase their bid, and attempted to structure a package that would also include Al Siyahi’s team-mate Sultan Haroun.

The late involvement of Hilal, however, has complicated Al Qadsiah’s plans and introduced a new level of uncertainty around the outcome of the negotiations.

European interest in rising Roshn League talent

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri, described in the report as a well-sourced observer of the transfer market, is quoted as saying that Al Siyahi has also attracted attention from several clubs in Europe.

Those sides are monitoring the midfielder on the back of his rapid rise in the Roshn Saudi League, where he is viewed as one of the most promising young players currently operating.

Despite his age, Al Siyahi featured regularly for Riyadh’s first team last season, making 19 league appearances. He did not score or provide an assist during that campaign, but his development and game time at senior level have been enough to draw interest domestically and abroad.

Hilal’s busy summer window

The pursuit of Al Siyahi comes during a notably active summer transfer window for Hilal, who are looking to refresh and deepen their squad following a dominant league campaign.

Summerville is the headline arrival so far, joining from West Ham United as the club’s marquee attacking addition for the coming years. His signing forms part of a broader recruitment drive that has already brought six new players to the Riyadh giants during the current window.

Alongside Summerville, Hilal have added goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, as well as Sabri Dahl, Abdullah Al Anzi, Mohammed Al Sarnoukh and Nawaf Al Habashi.

Hilal’s willingness to go head-to-head with Al Qadsiah for Al Siyahi underlines a clear strategy of combining major international signings with some of the most highly rated young Saudi players in the Roshn Saudi League.

For now, Riyadh’s stance and the increased offer from Al Qadsiah mean that no agreement has yet been finalised, leaving Al Siyahi’s next move at the centre of one of the most closely watched domestic transfer tussles of the summer.