Riyad Mahrez closing in on Al-Shabab move as financial checks delay announcement

Riyad Mahrez is close to finalising a move to Al-Shabab after agreeing terms with the Saudi Pro League club, but the transfer cannot be officially announced until the club receives approval from the league’s Financial Monitoring Committee.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Shabab and the former Al-Ahli winger have reached an agreement over his proposed transfer. All the main details of Mahrez’s new contract have reportedly been settled, leaving the deal dependent on one final administrative step.

The delay is not being caused by a disagreement between the player and Al-Shabab. Sources cited by the newspaper said both sides had completed their discussions and agreed the terms of the contract.

However, Al-Shabab is currently subject to financial monitoring by the Saudi Pro League. As a result, Mahrez’s registration is linked to the club submitting additional guarantees relating to the value of the contract and the financial commitments that would follow from the agreement.

The league has not yet given Al-Shabab permission to register Mahrez on the basis of the financial information already provided. The club has instead been asked to produce guarantees demonstrating that it can meet the full value of the contract it intends to sign with the Algeria international.

Al-Shabab is now working to complete the remaining requirements and secure final approval. The club has already succeeded in persuading Mahrez to join, meaning the financial checks are the only obstacle currently standing in the way of the transfer.

Mahrez ended his relationship with Al-Ahli by mutual consent during the current transfer window. That decision immediately prompted attention over his next destination, before Al-Shabab emerged as the club able to reach an agreement with him over a new contract.

The proposed move would give Mahrez a new club after his departure from Al-Ahli, but the transfer remains formally incomplete until the financial authorities accept Al-Shabab’s guarantees and allow the registration process to proceed.