Al-Fateh weigh goalkeeper change as Nawaf Al-Aqidi transfer talks stall

Al-Fateh are considering abandoning their proposed move for Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi after negotiations between the two Saudi Pro League clubs slowed significantly, with the club also exploring the possibility of signing a foreign goalkeeper before the summer transfer window closes.

Reports had previously indicated that Al-Nassr had agreed to sell the Saudi international to Al-Fateh for a fee, with the deal also expected to include the transfer of Al-Nassr goalkeeper Abdulhadi Al-Alwan and right-back Saeed Baattia.

However, Saudi newspaper Al Jazirah reported on Wednesday that progress in the negotiations had slowed considerably in recent hours. The development has reportedly angered Al-Fateh and prompted the club to reconsider its position.

According to the newspaper, Al-Fateh are now assessing whether to withdraw from the agreement for Al-Aqidi and instead recruit a foreign goalkeeper before the current summer market closes.

Such a decision would be a significant setback for Al-Nassr. The club had already decided not to renew Al-Aqidi’s contract, which expires at the end of next season. If the goalkeeper remains at Al-Nassr until then, he would be able to leave as a free agent in a year’s time.

The proposed transfer could also affect the future of Baattia. Al-Fateh are considering accepting an offer from Al-Qadsiah for the right-back rather than including him in a deal for Al-Aqidi, should the goalkeeper’s move to the club be cancelled.

That would represent a second blow for Al-Nassr, who are seeking to sign a new right-back during the current summer transfer window. The club had been expected to use Baattia’s inclusion in the package as part of its effort to strengthen that position.

Further clarity on the fate of the negotiations is expected in the coming hours. Al-Aqidi is seeking more regular playing time next season, and a permanent move would offer him the opportunity to compete for a starting place away from Al-Nassr.

The 26-year-old came through Al-Nassr’s system and was promoted to the first team in 2019. He has never established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, though, and spent time on loan at Al-Tai in 2022 before joining Al-Fateh on loan in 2025.

Al-Aqidi began last season as Al-Nassr’s starting goalkeeper but lost his place after making a number of mistakes in the middle of the campaign. His errors in matches against Al-Qadsiah and Al-Hilal in the Roshn Saudi League were among the incidents that contributed to his return to the substitutes’ bench.

He also lost his position as Saudi Arabia’s first-choice goalkeeper following mistakes during a friendly against Egypt in March. Veteran goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais subsequently took charge of the national team’s goal for the 2026 World Cup instead of Al-Aqidi.