In a move that could ignite the winter transfer market in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Hilal has submitted an official letter to Al-Ittihad requesting the services of international winger Abdulrahman Al-Aboud. This move comes as Al-Hilal seeks to bolster its attacking options with a prominent local player, taking advantage of the player's current situation with his club.
According to informed sources, Al-Hilal's management is currently awaiting an official response from Al-Ittihad to finalize the deal. Crucial developments are expected in the coming hours, as Al-Ittihad's management will review the offer and make its final decision on whether to approve the player's departure or retain him within the team.
Background of the deal and context of the historical rivalry
This deal cannot be viewed in isolation from the fierce historical rivalry between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, known as the "Saudi Clasico." Matches between the two clubs have always been unique, and direct transfers of influential players between them are rare, lending Al-Hilal's offer exceptional significance and generating widespread interest in Saudi sporting circles. The transfer of a player of Al-Aboud's stature from Jeddah to Riyadh would represent a landmark event in the history of player transfers between these two giants.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
For Al-Hilal, the league leaders with a comfortable margin, signing Al-Aboud would be a significant boost to their squad depth. The team, coached by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, aims to compete strongly on all fronts, both domestically and continentally, and the presence of a fast and skillful Saudi player like Al-Aboud would provide additional tactical options, especially given the regulations regarding the number of foreign players. As for the player himself, the move to Al-Hilal could represent an opportunity to revive his career and secure regular playing time after a period of tension and disagreements with the coaching staff at Al-Ittihad, which led to his exclusion from matches in recent times.
On the other hand, this offer puts Al-Ittihad's management in a difficult position. Letting go of one of their local stars to their arch-rivals could anger the fans, but at the same time, it might solve an internal problem and provide the club with much-needed funds. The final decision remains pending, awaiting an official response that will determine the future of one of the most promising talents in Saudi football.
