The management of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ettifaq club has put an end to the speculation surrounding the future of their star player, Khalid Al-Ghannam, with a decisive and final decision regarding offers made to acquire his services during the upcoming winter transfer window. This swift move by the club's management aims to thwart any attempts by other clubs to sign the player and to ensure the technical stability of the team, which is led by English coach Steven Gerrard.
The agreement's stance on Khaled Al-Ghannam's departure
According to informed sources within the club, officials formally and directly informed player Khaled Al-Ghannam in the past few hours that all local offers for his transfer have been rejected. The administration assured the player that he is a cornerstone of the club's project and that there is absolutely no intention of letting him go at this time. They emphasized that he will remain with the team until at least the end of the season and that there is no intention to discuss any negotiations regarding the sale of his contract.
Details of the penalty clause in Al-Ghannam's contract
Despite Al-Ettifaq's insistence on keeping the player, Khalid Al-Ghannam's contract contains a legal loophole that could allow him to leave without the club's consent. This loophole is a release clause of 40 million Saudi riyals. According to the terms of the contract, the player has the right to activate this clause and unilaterally terminate the contract only during two specific periods: the first within the first ten days of the winter transfer window, and the second within the first 30 days of the summer transfer window. This puts the ball in the player's court and the clubs interested in signing him should they decide to break the contract by paying this substantial sum.
The importance of the player and the struggle of Roshan clubs
Khaled Al-Ghannam is considered one of the most prominent local talents in the Saudi Professional League, possessing exceptional individual skills and speed that make him a valuable attacking option on the wing. Al-Ghannam joined Al-Ettifaq from Al-Nassr in a transfer that generated considerable interest at the time. Retaining him is crucial for Al-Ettifaq given the intense competition in the Saudi league and the need for teams to hold onto their local stars to ensure balance in their squads alongside foreign professionals.
Reports indicate that Al-Ghannam has become a top target for several leading clubs in the Saudi Professional League, most notably Al-Hilal, whose coaching staff is seeking strong local reinforcements to bolster their bench and increase their attacking options as they compete in all domestic and continental tournaments. However, Al-Ettifaq's recent decision puts an end to the speculation, unless the option of activating the release clause in his contract is exercised.
