Houssem Aouar has officially reported for pre-season duty with Al-Ittihad, casting fresh doubt on widespread speculation linking him with a move away from the Saudi club this summer.
Despite recurring reports of Premier League interest and a potential departure, the Algerian international has linked up with the rest of the squad for the second stage of their summer training camp in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.
Coach Laurent Blanc has included Aouar in the core group preparing for the upcoming 2025–26 campaign.
Aouar, who emerged through the ranks at Olympique Lyonnais, was granted an extended rest period but joined the team on Monday.
He arrived alongside new recruits Mario Mitaj, the Albanian full-back, and Serbian goalkeeper Rajkovic.
On Tuesday, the midfielder began a tailored fitness regime to regain match readiness and later took part in segments of the evening training session with the rest of the squad.
His presence in the camp appears to signal Al-Ittihad’s intention to keep him, at least for the coming season.
While murmurs of interest from various European clubs have not subsided entirely, the club’s decision to incorporate Aouar into their strategic pre-season plans suggests that he remains a key figure in Blanc’s blueprint.
Blanc, for his part, has underlined the significance of the Portuguese tour, describing it as essential for developing both the team’s physical foundation and tactical cohesion.
“This training camp is important for building a solid physical base and establishing team dynamics,” he said.
Al-Ittihad are scheduled to face a challenging slate of friendly matches over the course of their stay in Portugal.
Fixtures against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, Portuguese sides Vitoria Guimarães and Portimonense, and English club Fulham are lined up to test the squad’s progress before competitive play resumes.
Aouar’s participation in these friendlies is widely expected and may serve as the final indication that he will not be departing this window.
It could also offer the midfielder a chance to reaffirm his value to the club and dispel doubts about his commitment ahead of a potentially pivotal season.
Though the summer transfer window remains open, the signs increasingly point to Aouar continuing his Saudi Pro League journey with Al-Ittihad.
— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) July 21, 2025
