Adel Boulbina closes in on Al-Diriyah move after Malcom switch breaks down

Algeria winger Adel Boulbina is undergoing a medical ahead of a proposed move from Al-Duhail to Saudi Pro League newcomers Al-Diriyah, where he is expected to take the place of Brazilian winger Malcom.

The Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya reports that Boulbina is completing the final medical checks before his transfer can be formally concluded during the current summer window.

The 23-year-old has emerged as Al-Diriyah’s preferred alternative after Malcom’s proposed move from Al Hilal stalled. Malcom is now understood to be close to joining UAE club Al Jazira instead.

Al-Diriyah, who have only recently been promoted to the Saudi Pro League, turned to Boulbina after his impressive performances for Al-Duhail last season. The Algeria international made an impact in both the Qatar Stars League and the AFC Champions League Elite, helping to attract interest from clubs outside Qatar.

Boulbina played 32 matches for Al-Duhail during the previous campaign, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists. Those figures have made him a key target for Al-Diriyah as they prepare for their first season among Saudi Arabia’s top-flight clubs.

His expected move to Saudi Arabia would mark another significant step in a career that nearly took him to Egypt before he joined Al-Duhail. In January 2025, while playing for Algerian club Paradou AC, Boulbina was close to signing for Zamalek.

That transfer collapsed at the final stage, however, and Boulbina remained in Algeria until completing a move to Al-Duhail the following summer. His performances in Qatar have since helped him earn greater recognition at international level and led to the current opportunity in the Saudi Pro League.

For Algeria, Boulbina has made 13 appearances, scoring five goals and creating three more. He featured for the Desert Warriors at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and also appeared at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

If the medical and remaining formalities are completed, Boulbina will become the player tasked with filling the attacking role originally intended for Malcom at Al-Diriyah. The club’s decision reflects its desire to strengthen its squad with a young winger who has already produced notable numbers in domestic and continental competition.

The move would also take Boulbina from the ambitions of a potential Zamalek transfer to a new challenge in the rapidly developing Saudi Pro League, following just one season with Al-Duhail.