German media outlets, most notably the widely circulated Kicker magazine, have reported that Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in signing England international striker Harry Kane , the star striker of Bayern Munich, during the upcoming summer transfer window. According to these reports, the Jeddah-based club's management has placed Kane at the top of their list of targets to bolster their attacking options with a world-class signing, particularly given the speculation surrounding the future of French striker Karim Benzema with the team.
This interest comes amidst the significant transformation the Saudi Professional League since the arrival of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, making it a magnet for the world's top footballers. Al-Ittihad itself was one of the clubs that bolstered its squad with big names last summer, signing Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. Despite these high-profile signings, the team has had a disappointing season, currently sitting in seventh place in the league standings with 34 points. This has prompted the management to plan a major overhaul of the squad to reclaim its former glory as a league champion.
The potential signing of 32-year-old Harry Kane represents a strategic move that goes beyond simply strengthening the squad. Kane is not only England's and Tottenham Hotspur's all-time leading scorer, but he also had an exceptional individual season with Bayern Munich , contributing to 44 goals across all competitions in his first season in Germany. His arrival in the Saudi league, at the peak of his technical and physical abilities, would send a powerful message to the world that the Saudi sports project is capable of attracting the best players in the world, not just those nearing retirement.
Domestically, Kane's arrival will ignite competition among Saudi Arabia's top clubs, particularly between Al-Ittihad and their traditional rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, thus raising the overall level and quality of the league. Internationally, the presence of a player of the stature and popularity of the England captain will increase global viewership of the Saudi league, enhance its marketing value, and underscore the Kingdom's commitment to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 by positioning its league among the top 10 in the world. While the deal remains speculative, it reflects Al-Ittihad's ambitious management and their desire to build a team capable of competing for all domestic and continental titles.
