International press reports have revealed the huge financial value that Al-Ahli Saudi Club is preparing to pay in order to secure the services of the promising striker of the Brazilian club Internacional, Ricardo Matias, as part of “Al-Raqi’s” efforts to strengthen its ranks with the most prominent young talents during the current transfer period.
Details of the financial offer and source of the news
According to a report published today, Friday, by the renowned Brazilian website Globo, Al-Ahli's management has allocated $10 million (approximately 37.5 million Saudi riyals) to finalize the signing of the 19-year-old striker. The report indicated that negotiations are progressing very positively, with Jeddah-based club officials currently working on the final details and terms of the player's contract in preparation for the official announcement of the deal.
Ricardo Matias' numbers with Internacional
Ricardo Matias possesses exceptional physical and technical attributes that have attracted the attention of scouts from clubs worldwide. During the 2024/2025 season, he delivered outstanding performances for Internacional, appearing in 32 matches across all competitions. In 1400 minutes of play, the young striker scored 6 goals and provided 1 assist, while also receiving 3 yellow cards, reflecting his enthusiasm and physicality in challenges.
Context of the deal: A strategy to attract young talent
The signing of Ricardo Matias aligns perfectly with the Saudi Pro League's new strategy, which aims to lower the average age of players in the league and inject new blood by attracting top international talent under the age of 21. This approach not only seeks to enhance current competitiveness but also to build a foundation for the future, allowing these players to develop within a high-quality professional environment alongside global stars, thus increasing the market value of the Saudi Pro League (the Roshan League) in the long term.
Al Ahly and strengthening the attacking line
From a technical standpoint, the arrival of Matthias represents a significant boost to the squad of German coach Matthias Jäsle, who is known for his ability to develop young players. Having a young, ambitious striker like Matthias alongside seasoned attacking stars such as Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez will provide Al Ahly with greater squad depth and diverse tactical options to compete for domestic and continental titles, especially given the expected fixture congestion in the new season.
