International media reports have revealed exciting developments in the negotiations between Brazilian club Fluminense and Saudi club Al-Ahli regarding the former's desire to re-sign Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez during the current transfer window. It appears that the Brazilian club's ambitions have been met with strong financial resistance from the Saudi side.
Shock in Brazil over financial demands
According to a report published Friday evening by ESPN Brazil, Fluminense's management was deeply disappointed after receiving Al-Ahli's official response regarding the transfer fee for the international defender. The report explained that officials at the Brazilian club realized that finalizing the deal to bring Ibanez back to the team would require what they described as a "crazy" financial move, far exceeding the club's current capabilities, especially given the significant economic disparity between the purchasing power of Saudi clubs and their South American counterparts.
Ibanez's numbers with Al-Ahli this season
Ibanez is considered a key player in Al-Ahli's lineup. The 25-year-old defender has featured in 19 matches for the club this season, showcasing his attacking prowess by scoring two goals and providing one assist. In terms of discipline and playing time, he has received five yellow cards in 1740 minutes of play, reflecting the coaching staff's heavy reliance on him to lead the back line.
Background of the transfer and the player's status
Al-Ahli had successfully secured the services of Roger Ibañez from Italian club Roma during the summer transfer window of the 2023/2024 season, in a deal that was the talk of the sports world at the time, as part of a project to attract international stars to the Saudi Professional League. Ibañez, who began his professional career and previously shone with Fluminense before his European journey that included Atalanta and Roma, is considered an emotional and technical target for his former club, which is currently suffering from a clear defensive crisis.
Fluminense's challenges and economic reality
Fluminense, the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, are looking to bolster their defense amid declining domestic results and a pressing need for an experienced, high-quality defender. However, economic realities are a significant factor; Al-Ahli, who invested millions of dollars to bring the player from the Italian league, seem unwilling to let him go for a small fee, especially since his contract is still valid and he is a cornerstone of coach Matías Jäsle's project. Current indications suggest that Ibañez's return to Brazil at this time seems virtually impossible unless a financial miracle occurs or the "crazy move" mentioned in the report takes place.
