Genoa win race for Mario Mitaj as Al-Ittihad reduce squad

Al-Ittihad defender Mario Mitaj has agreed to join Genoa, with the move set to take the Albania international back to European football as the Saudi Arabian club continues to reshape its squad before the new season.

Mitaj’s transfer is expected to be completed on a season-long loan, according to Sky Sport Italia, with Genoa also holding an option to make the deal permanent when the temporary spell ends.

The agreement brings an end to Mitaj’s time with Al-Ittihad, who are reducing the size of their squad and cutting their wage commitments as part of a wider restructuring process. The 22-year-old will now begin a new chapter in the Italian league, where he will be looking for more regular playing opportunities and a chance to rebuild his form.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Genoa had secured the deal after beating competition from several Portuguese clubs. Those sides had shown an interest in signing Mitaj during the past few weeks, but the Italian club ultimately won the race for his services.

Mitaj is expected to join Genoa’s training sessions in the coming days. His arrival will allow him to prepare for his official start with the club, while Al-Ittihad continue making changes to their playing squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The move is the latest departure from Al-Ittihad during a summer in which the club have already seen several prominent players leave. French forwards Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante have departed, as have Hamed Al-Shanqeeti and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho.

Those exits form part of the club’s stated effort to reset their squad before the start of the new season. Mitaj’s departure adds another name to the list as Al-Ittihad seek to reorganise their group and manage their overall wage bill.

The Albania international joined Al-Ittihad as a left-back and spent a period with the Saudi Arabian club before deciding to pursue a fresh challenge in Italy. His loan to Genoa gives him the opportunity to return to European football, while the purchase option could allow the move to become permanent after the 2025-26 season.

For Genoa, the agreement provides an opportunity to assess Mitaj over a full season before deciding whether to sign him permanently. For Al-Ittihad, it represents another step in an ongoing process of rebuilding the squad ahead of the new campaign.