Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of Al-Ittihad, has begun finalizing his plan to strengthen the first football team in preparation for the upcoming winter transfer window. These moves come as part of the club's management's efforts to get back on track and compete strongly for all available domestic and continental titles this season.
According to well-informed sources within the Jeddah club, Conceição has precisely identified his technical needs, requesting that the club's management secure two key signings to ensure the team's continued technical development. The Portuguese coach's priorities are strengthening the defense with a top-class center-back and acquiring a new striker to increase scoring efficiency and support French star Karim Benzema in attack.
In this context, reports indicate that Al-Ittihad's sporting director, Spaniard Ramon Planes, has already begun taking concrete steps to fulfill the coaching staff's requests. Planes is known for his extensive experience in European football and his ability to secure high-profile signings, giving Al-Ittihad fans considerable optimism for a successful winter transfer window. Reports also suggest that the club has opened official lines of communication to negotiate with international defender Abdulilah Al-Amri, aiming to make him a key pillar of the Tigers' defense in the coming period.
These moves are particularly significant given the intense competition in the Saudi Professional League this season, with the top four clubs (Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli) all vying to bolster their squads with top international and local talent. Conceição's request to strengthen both the defense and attack reflects a realistic assessment of the current situation, especially as the team needs a strong bench and a starting lineup ready to handle the pressure of consecutive matches across various competitions.
In terms of results, Al-Ittihad is experiencing a period of relative stability, having recently secured a resounding 4-1 victory over Al-Shabab in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup. This impressive win hasn't deterred the coaching staff from looking ahead, as Conceição understands that maintaining this winning streak requires addressing weaknesses and bringing in fresh talent capable of making the desired impact in the second half of the season.
