Former Al-Nassr official raises prospect of Salem Al-Dawsari move from Al-Hilal

Salem Al-Dawsari could leave Al-Hilal for Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Nassr next summer, according to the club’s former spokesman Saud Al-Sarami.

The Saudi Arabia captain’s contract with Al-Hilal expires at the end of the current season, meaning he will be able to negotiate with other clubs from January and potentially move on a free transfer in the summer.

Speaking on the Malaeb programme on MBC Action, Al-Sarami said Al-Dawsari, Mohamed Kanno and Hassan Tambakti were all due to reach the end of their contracts with Al-Hilal this season.

“I expect Hassan Tambakti to stay at Al-Hilal, and the club could announce the renewal of his contract at any moment,” Al-Sarami said.

“As for Salem Al-Dawsari and Mohamed Kanno, they will be thanked after the end of the current season.”

Al-Sarami suggested Kanno could move to Al-Qadsiah, while Al-Dawsari may have the option of joining Al-Nassr.

“Mohamed Kanno could take the opportunity to move to Al-Qadsiah, while Salem Al-Dawsari could move to Al-Nassr,” he added.

The possibility of Al-Dawsari joining Al-Nassr had previously been linked by Al-Sarami to Jorge Jesus, who formerly managed the club.

“I said six months ago that if Jorge Jesus was going to oversee Al-Nassr in the coming years, he would have asked the club to sign Salem Al-Dawsari,” he said.

“But after his departure, no-one knows what could happen.”

Al-Sarami also referred to Al-Dawsari’s early connection with Al-Nassr, saying the forward had trained under Saleh Al-Mutlaq when he was responsible for the club’s youth sectors.

“You can ask Saleh Al-Mutlaq. He was responsible for the youth sectors at Al-Nassr, and Salem Al-Dawsari trained with him,” Al-Sarami said.

“I know that his father supports Al-Nassr, so I would not rule out him joining the club.”

Al-Dawsari is Al-Hilal’s first-team captain and has played for the senior side since being promoted in 2011. During that time, he has helped the club win a number of major honours, including the AFC Champions League twice and the Roshn Saudi League six times.