In a move that surprised Saudi sports circles, reliable media reports revealed that Al-Hilal's management intends to make sweeping changes to the first team's roster during the current winter transfer window. According to the "Thamania" network, the club's technical and administrative staff have decided to release five of the team's most prominent local players, a decision aimed at restructuring the squad to better suit upcoming domestic and continental challenges.
List of departing employees and contract details
Sources revealed that Al-Hilal is currently working to market or terminate contracts with several key players, including international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, forwards Abdullah Radif and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, young winger Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and midfielder Abdul-Ilah Al-Malki. Reports indicate that the club's management plans to sell the remaining term of young striker Abdullah Radif's contract outright if a suitable financial offer is received that meets the club's expectations, potentially opening the door for rival clubs to acquire these talented players.
Context of the decision and its technical dimensions
This bold decision comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League (the Roshan League) is witnessing tremendous development and fierce competition, with major clubs seeking to streamline their squads and retain only players capable of making a significant contribution amidst the presence of international stars. It appears that Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, is aiming to reduce the number of players to focus on a specific group capable of implementing his tactical ideas with high flexibility, especially given the congested schedule of multiple competitions.
A sensitive time before the Riyadh derby
This news takes on added significance given its sensitive timing, coinciding with Al-Hilal's preparations for one of the most important matches of the season: the highly anticipated Riyadh derby against arch-rivals Al-Nassr. Al-Hilal is set to face Al-Nassr tomorrow, Monday, in the fifteenth round of the Saudi Professional League, a match that could significantly shape the title race. The timing of this leak raises questions about its potential impact on the focus of the players involved in the potential departures, particularly Ali Al-Bulaihi, who has consistently been a key player in major matches.
Expected impact on the winter transfer window
The departure of these five players is expected to ignite the winter transfer market in the Kingdom, with mid-table clubs and those seeking to improve their standings vying to sign players of the caliber of Al-Hamdan, Al-Maliki, and Radif, given their extensive international and domestic experience. This flurry of activity underscores Al-Hilal's ongoing desire to inject new blood into the squad and maintain its dynamism to ensure continued dominance in domestic and Asian competitions.
