Private sources have revealed to Al-Midan that Al-Ahli Saudi FC is making serious moves to enter into formal negotiations to sign young striker Fahad Al-Habishi, star of Al-Fayha FC and his team's top scorer in the Under-21 Elite League. This interest comes as part of Al-Ahli's efforts to strengthen its squad with promising local talents capable of serving the first team in the near future.
Sources explained that Al-Ahli's offer came at a strategic time, as the player had entered the final six months of his contract with Al-Fayha. This period, the last six months of a professional player's contract, allows him to negotiate and sign with any other club without needing his current club's approval, with the understanding that he would join his new team at the start of the following season. This move reflects Al-Ahli's management's vision of securing talent before other clubs enter bidding wars for the player.
General context and importance of the deal
Al-Ahli's interest in young players like Al-Habishi is part of a broader strategy to build a well-rounded team capable of competing at all levels. Following their impressive return to the Saudi Professional League, the club made high-profile international signings such as Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Franck Kessié. However, the management understands that relying solely on foreign stars is insufficient to guarantee long-term sustainability and success. Therefore, investing in young Saudi talent is a cornerstone of the club's project, ensuring squad depth and establishing a solid local foundation for the team.
Expected impact on the Saudi football map
Domestically, this potential transfer highlights the growing importance of youth leagues, such as the elite Al-Jawiya League, as a key platform for discovering and developing talent. Major clubs are no longer solely focused on the established player market; they are now closely monitoring the future stars emerging from these competitions. The transfer of a player of Al-Habishi's caliber to a popular club like Al-Ahli will further emphasize this category and may encourage other clubs to intensify their efforts in identifying young talent, ultimately benefiting Saudi football and the national teams.
Regarding the two teams' standings in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Fayha currently occupies eleventh place with 15 points, while Al-Ahli sits in fifteenth place with 13 points, demonstrating the close competition between the youth teams. Al-Fayha is preparing to face Al-Hazm away on Wednesday, January 18, while Al-Ahli will be visiting Al-Taawoun on the same day.
