Al-Ittihad weigh move for Hadj Moussa and former Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum

Al-Ittihad have added Feyenoord midfielder Anis Hadj Moussa and former Liverpool player Georginio Wijnaldum to their list of midfield targets for the new Saudi Pro League season.

The Saudi club have already been linked with a number of midfielders during the current summer transfer window. Benfica’s Colombian midfielder Richard Rios is among the latest names connected with a possible move, while Egypt internationals Emam Ashour and Marwan Attia, and Morocco players Azzedine Ounahi and Sofyan Amrabat, have also been mentioned as potential options.

Saudi journalist Majed Hood reported that two further candidates had entered Al-Ittihad’s shortlist: Algeria international Hadj Moussa, who plays for Dutch club Feyenoord, and Netherlands midfielder Wijnaldum, who enjoyed a prominent spell with Liverpool.

Hadj Moussa’s future has attracted interest from several clubs during the summer window. Reports in the Netherlands have indicated that Feyenoord are not currently willing to consider selling the player, making any potential deal more difficult for Al-Ittihad.

Wijnaldum, meanwhile, is looking for a new club after Al-Ettifaq decided not to retain him when his contract expired at the end of last season. The 35-year-old could offer Al-Ittihad experience of the Saudi Pro League, having spent three years in the competition with Al-Ettifaq between 2023 and 2026.

The most significant period of Wijnaldum’s career came at Liverpool, where he played from 2016 to 2021. During that time, he established himself as an important part of the side and became one of the best-known midfielders in the Premier League.

His previous knowledge of Saudi football could make Wijnaldum an attractive option as Al-Ittihad continue their search for another central midfielder. The club have already strengthened that area by signing Rakan Kaabi from Al-Fayha and Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy from Spanish side Almeria, but further recruitment remains a priority.

Al-Ittihad’s need for midfield reinforcements has increased following the departure of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, whose contract ended at the conclusion of the previous season. The club are also dealing with long-term injuries affecting Mali midfielder Mamadou Doumbia and Saudi player Hamed Al-Ghamdi.

The shortlist featuring Hadj Moussa and Wijnaldum was highlighted in a social media post about Al-Ittihad’s midfield options. Neither player has yet been confirmed as a signing, while the club have also been linked with the other midfielders named during the summer transfer window.

Al-Ittihad are therefore continuing to assess several possibilities as they seek to restore depth and balance in midfield ahead of the new campaign.