Al-Ittihad step up Hicham Boudaoui pursuit as deadline approaches

Al-Ittihad are working to complete a deal for OGC Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui before Saturday’s meeting with Al-Nassr, while also negotiating the signing of Japan winger Ritsu Doan from Eintracht Frankfurt.

With the Saudi summer transfer window due to close in about a week, the club’s management has prepared alternative targets in both positions in case agreements for Doan and Boudaoui cannot be finalised.

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya reports that negotiations for both players have reached an advanced stage, with Al-Ittihad hopeful of concluding the two transfers. However, the limited time remaining in the window has prompted the club to draw up contingency plans so it does not enter the final days of the market without ready-made alternatives.

Should Doan complete his move, the Japan international is expected to sign a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad, the club known as the Tigers.

The recruitment drive comes as Al-Ittihad prepare to face Al-Nassr on Saturday in the fifth round of the Saudi league. The club are racing to address the squad’s remaining needs before the transfer window closes in Saudi Arabia on 6 September.

For the wide position, Chile international Dario Osorio has been identified as an alternative to Doan if a final agreement for the Eintracht Frankfurt player breaks down. Osorio currently plays for Danish club Midtjylland.

Boudaoui remains Al-Ittihad’s preferred midfield target. If negotiations fail, the club have several other names under consideration, led by former Al-Nassr midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.

Belgium international Nicolas Raskin is also among the alternatives, as is Luxembourg midfielder Leandro Barreiro, who plays for Portuguese club Benfica.

The latest developments follow a report by Saudi newspaper Al-Jazirah two days ago stating that Al-Ittihad had entered advanced talks with Boudaoui over a move during the current summer transfer window.

That report said the Saudi club were seeking to strengthen their squad and were pursuing both Boudaoui and Doan. It added that Al-Ittihad wanted to complete the two deals before the Saudi transfer deadline.

Boudaoui, 26, has played 207 matches for OGC Nice since joining the French club in 2019. During that time, he has scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists.

The Algerian midfielder is therefore the immediate priority in the centre of the pitch, although Al-Ittihad’s list of alternatives reflects the urgency surrounding the negotiations. The club’s efforts to secure reinforcements are taking place alongside preparations for one of their most prominent fixtures of the early league season, with Al-Nassr due to provide the opposition on Saturday.