Neom approach leaves Al-Ittihad weighing Faisal Al-Ghamdi decision

Al-Ittihad could lose another midfield option before the start of the new season after Neom asked to sign Faisal Al-Ghamdi on loan until the end of next season.

The request, reported by Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, adds to an increasingly difficult situation for Al-Ittihad, who are already facing a shortage of midfielders following the departure of Fabinho and injuries to Mamadou Doumbia and Hamed Al-Ghamdi.

Mamadou Doumbia has been injured since the end of last season, while Hamed Al-Ghamdi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the club’s pre-season training camp. Fabinho has left the squad, leaving Al-Ittihad with limited options in the centre of the pitch.

Faisal Al-Ghamdi is now the subject of interest from Neom, who have asked Al-Ittihad to allow the player to move on a temporary basis for the whole of the forthcoming campaign. The report did not state that an agreement had been reached, meaning the decision remains with Al-Ittihad.

If the Saudi club accept the proposal, their midfield resources would be reduced even further at a time when they are already dealing with a succession of absences caused by injuries and departures.

That would leave new Senegalese signing Dion Lopy as the only available midfield option identified in the report. Al-Ittihad would therefore face the prospect of beginning the season with particularly limited depth in an important area of the team.

Faisal Al-Ghamdi was given several opportunities to play during the previous campaign, particularly under Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao. His involvement had been expected to increase during the new season, making the possible loan move an important decision for Al-Ittihad.

The club’s midfield problems have developed before their competitive campaign has even begun. Their first match of the new season is scheduled for next Tuesday, when they face UAE club Al Jazira in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Elite league stage.

The match will provide Al-Ittihad with their opening test of the campaign, but the situation surrounding Faisal Al-Ghamdi means the club must now consider both its immediate needs and the longer-term impact of any decision over his future.

With Fabinho already gone, Mamadou Doumbia unavailable since last season and Hamed Al-Ghamdi sidelined by a serious knee injury, allowing Faisal Al-Ghamdi to leave would create another gap before Al-Ittihad’s Asian campaign has properly started.