Al-Ittihad boost transfer budget as Saudi club line up multiple signings before new season

Al-Ittihad have received fresh financial backing that is expected to return the Jeddah club to the heart of the current summer transfer window and pave the way for several new signings.

Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan revealed on X that the club’s coffers had been topped up in recent hours and said Al-Ittihad plan to complete “more than one deal” ahead of the new campaign.

The cash injection comes after a slow start to the summer, during which Al-Ittihad have been heavily linked with a number of targets but, up to now, have been unable to finalise any incoming transfers because of limited financial resources.

Midfield overhaul a priority

Strengthening central midfield is understood to be the main priority for “Al-Ameed”, who are in talks with several high-profile options from Europe and Africa.

Negotiations are ongoing with Egypt internationals Emam Ashour and Marwan Attia, Morocco duo Azzedine Ounahi and Sofyan Amrabat, and Nigeria midfielders Raphael Onyedika and Wilfred Ndidi.

The club’s need for reinforcements in the middle of the pitch has intensified following the departure of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho. He left Al-Ittihad at the end of last season when his contract expired.

Reports have also suggested that further key exits could follow, with Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri and Algeria midfielder Houssem Aouar both named as players who might leave the club this summer.

Response to trophyless campaign

Al-Ittihad’s transfer push is being driven by a desire to reset after a disappointing 2023-24 season in which the former Saudi Pro League champions failed to win any silverware.

They finished fifth in the Saudi Pro League, falling well short of the title race, and exited the AFC Champions League Elite at the quarter-final stage. Their domestic cup runs were also cut short, going out of both the King’s Cup and the Saudi Super Cup in the semi-finals.

Club officials see the current window as an opportunity to rebuild the squad, address areas of weakness and restore Al-Ittihad’s status as contenders on all fronts.

Early test in Asia

Al-Ittihad will not have long to bed in any new recruits, with their first competitive fixture of the new season already scheduled.

The Jeddah side will face Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates on 11 August in the play-off round for a place in the AFC Champions League Elite.

That qualifier is viewed within the club as a key early test and an additional reason to accelerate their recruitment drive now that new funds are available.