Greek coach Giorgos Donis, manager of the first football team at Al-Khaleej Club, expressed his deep regret over the imminent departure of the outstanding left-back Murad Hawsawi to Al-Hilal Club during the current winter transfer window, stressing that the player’s departure represents a major blow to the team’s technical stability.
Donis's statements and details of the negotiations
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Donis was frank and realistic about the player's future. The Greek coach said: "Currently, there are serious and advanced negotiations underway with Al-Hilal to acquire Murad Hawsawi. The club's management holds the precise details regarding the progress of the deal, but from a technical standpoint, I can clearly say that it is very difficult for us to replace a player of his caliber or find a replacement of the same quality in this short timeframe.".
These statements confirm the news that has been circulating in press reports recently, as Al-Midan Al-Riyadi newspaper exclusively reported the details of the agreement, indicating that Al-Hilal finalized the deal for a huge financial value that reached 60 million riyals (not pounds as rumored), with a clause that grants Al-Ahli Club, the player’s former club, 40% of the value of the sale of his contract, which reflects the rising market value of the young talent.
The importance of the deal for Al-Hilal and the technical context
Al-Hilal's move to sign Murad Hawsawi comes as part of the club's strategy to strengthen its left flank, a position Al-Hilal has long sought to secure with capable replacements to ensure continued competitiveness for all domestic and continental titles. The Al-Hilal coaching staff, led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus (not Inzaghi as mistakenly reported in some sources), aims to address defensive weaknesses and add depth to the squad, especially given the anticipated fixture congestion in the second half of the season.
Impact of the transition on the local balance of power
Transfers of local players in the Saudi Professional League (SPL) are of paramount importance, no less so than signing international stars. League regulations stipulate a limited number of foreign players, making talented local players a highly sought-after commodity by top clubs. The transfer of Housawi from Al-Khaleej to Al-Hilal highlights the potential technical gap that can occur for mid-table clubs when they lose their star players to clubs funded by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a point emphasized by Donis regarding the difficulty of finding suitable replacements.
Murad Hawsawi's upward trajectory
It's worth noting that Murad Hawsawi delivered impressive performances with Al-Khaleej, attracting the attention of scouts from major clubs. The player is characterized by his speed, defensive capabilities, and attacking support – qualities Al-Hilal seeks in a modern full-back. This transfer represents a significant step in his career, as he will move from struggling to avoid relegation with Al-Khaleej to competing for titles with Al-Hilal, placing a heavy responsibility on his shoulders to prove his worthiness of wearing the blue jersey.
