In a significant development within Al-Hilal, reliable media reports have revealed crucial administrative and technical decisions concerning the future of several first-team football stars. The "Thamania" network confirmed that Al-Hilal's management, in coordination with the coaching staff, has finalized the departure of five of its most prominent local players during the current winter transfer window, a move aimed at restructuring the squad to better suit upcoming challenges.
According to the same sources, the list of departing players includes both established stars and promising young talents. The club is currently finalizing the exit procedures for international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, young striker Abdullah Radif, his teammate Abdullah Al-Hamdan, winger Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and midfielder Abdul-Ilah Al-Malki. Reports indicate that Al-Hilal's management is open to selling the remainder of striker Abdullah Radif's contract outright if a suitable financial offer is received that meets the club's expectations, thus opening the door for rival clubs to acquire the young talent.
These bold decisions come as the coaching staff, led by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, seeks to streamline the squad and focus on players who directly serve his tactical plans. This is especially important given the abundance of players in certain positions and the fierce competition local players face for starting spots amidst the presence of top foreign professionals. For example, local strikers struggle to secure sufficient playing time due to the presence of Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, while the midfield is overflowing with stars like Neves and Savic, severely limiting Abdulilah Al-Malki's opportunities to play after his return from injury.
Meanwhile, amidst the flurry of transfer news, the team is currently fully focused on the highly anticipated Riyadh derby. Al-Hilal is preparing to face its traditional rival, Al-Nassr, tomorrow, Monday, in the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League. This match is of paramount importance not only because it is the capital derby, but also because of its direct impact on the league title race and the overall competition for the championship this season.
The Saudi sports community is anticipating these radical changes in the ranks of "Al-Za'eem" (the leader), as the departure of these players is expected to have a major impact on the winter transfer market in the Kingdom, as other clubs will compete to sign them due to their extensive international and local experience gained during their time with the Asian champion.
