Sabri Ben Hessen: Tunisia and ES Sahel goalkeeper linked with Urawa Reds move

Tunisia goalkeeper Sabri Ben Hessen is being linked with a move from ES Sahel to J1 League side Urawa Reds as the Japanese club explore options to strengthen their goalkeeping department. The 30-year-old, currently under contract with the Tunisian Ligue 1 outfit until 30 June 2028, has emerged as a potential target following a rise in his valuation to around €550,000.

Ben Hessen joined ES Sahel on a free transfer from CS Sfaxien in July 2025 and has since established himself as a key part of their squad, featuring prominently in the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup with four appearances and one clean sheet from four possible matches. His performances in continental competition are understood to have brought him to the attention of overseas scouts, with Urawa monitoring opportunities to add an experienced goalkeeper with recent African tournament exposure.

Although he has yet to feature at the 2026 World Cup, where he is part of the Tunisia squad, his inclusion at that level underlines the regard in which he is held domestically. At club level, he has also collected silverware, winning the Tunisian Cup three times with CS Sfaxien in 2018–19, 2020–21 and 2021–22 before his move to Sahel.

With nearly two years remaining before the halfway point of his current deal, ES Sahel are under no pressure to sell and any approach from Urawa would be expected to reflect his current market valuation. For now, Ben Hessen remains ES Sahel’s goalkeeper, with his long-term contract giving the Tunisian side a strong position should formal talks with the J1 League club materialise.