Riyad Mahrez’s Al Shabab switch hinges on Yannick Carrasco exit

Despite reports that Riyad Mahrez is close to joining Al Shabab, the Saudi club have yet to complete the deal because Yannick Carrasco’s proposed move to Al-Ittihad has not been finalised.

Mahrez, the Algeria winger who recently ended his spell with Al Ahli, was reported to have agreed all the personal terms of a new contract with Al Shabab. That had appeared to put the 34-year-old on the verge of moving to the club, but the formal announcement has been delayed by an issue involving the team’s foreign-player squad places.

According to the Nadina programme, the immediate obstacle is the continued presence of Belgium international Carrasco in the Al Shabab squad. The club are understood to be in discussions with Al-Ittihad over a transfer that would take the winger to the Saudi club known as “Al-Ittihad” or “the Brigadier”.

Negotiations between the two clubs are focused on completing the remaining details of Carrasco’s move. His departure would create the space Al Shabab need to register Mahrez officially in their squad for the new season.

That means Mahrez’s future is now directly connected to the outcome of Carrasco’s transfer, even though the agreement between the Algerian player and Al Shabab is understood to be complete. There is reportedly no remaining dispute over Mahrez’s personal terms or the details of his contract.

Al Shabab are seeking a major attacking addition as they look to increase their options in the final third. Mahrez would represent a high-profile signing because of his experience and his ability to influence matches, making the club keen to conclude the transfer as soon as possible.

The situation could become clearer in the coming hours as talks between Al Shabab and Al-Ittihad continue. If Carrasco’s move to Al-Ittihad is completed, the final barrier to Mahrez’s arrival at Al Shabab would be removed.

The transfer equation is therefore straightforward: Carrasco must leave Al Shabab before Mahrez can be announced and registered. The next step depends on whether the negotiations between the two Saudi clubs reach a successful conclusion before the transfer window closes.

Mahrez joined Al Ahli after a distinguished career in English football, but the source article identifies him only as the club’s former winger in relation to the proposed move. His anticipated switch to Al Shabab has attracted significant attention because the agreement with the player appears settled, leaving the foreign-player registration issue as the central matter still to be resolved.

Al Shabab and Al-Ittihad must now complete their discussions over Carrasco. Until that happens, Mahrez’s transfer remains close but officially unfinished.