The winter transfer market in Saudi Arabia has entered a heated phase, with Al-Ittihad igniting the competition for local talent by submitting an official letter to Al-Khaleej FC seeking the services of the talented left-back and international player, Murad Hawsawi . This move comes as part of Al-Ittihad's efforts to bolster its defense with young players capable of providing the necessary technical contribution in upcoming competitions.
Informed sources told Al-Midan that Al-Ittihad's offer did not include a specific financial value, leaving the ball in Al-Khaleej's court to determine their demands. However, the general sentiment within the Eastern Province club leans towards maintaining the team's stability, with Al-Khaleej's management preferring to postpone any decision regarding the player's departure until the upcoming summer transfer window. This is to avoid creating a gap in the starting lineup that could negatively impact the team's performance in the second half of the season.
Al-Hilal enters the fray and ignites the bidding war
Al-Ittihad wasn't the only club to notice Hawsawi's improved performance. The same sources confirmed that Al-Hilal, currently leading the Saudi football scene, also submitted an official offer to sign the player during the winter transfer window. This dual competition between the two Saudi giants opens the door to a fierce financial and technical battle, reflecting the scarcity of high-quality local full-backs in the league. This makes Hawsawi a rare commodity that top Saudi clubs are eager to acquire to ensure squad depth, especially with the pressure of domestic and continental matches.
Context of the event and the importance of the local player
This deal is of paramount importance given the regulations of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Asian Football Confederation, which mandate a certain number of local players on rosters. With the increasing level of competition and the presence of world-class stars, talented Saudi players have become indispensable pillars for maintaining team balance. Murad Hawsawi is one such name that has emerged prominently with Al-Khaleej, making him a strategic target for clubs seeking long-term defensive solutions.
Al Hilal and Sharjah: An Asian showdown in numbers
Aside from the internal power struggles, Al-Hilal is preparing for a fiery encounter on Monday against Sharjah FC of the UAE in the AFC Champions League for the 2025/26 season. Statistics reveal a significant technical advantage for Al-Hilal
- Al-Hilal: is experiencing a state of technical brilliance, having played 5 matches in which it achieved the perfect score with 5 victories, scoring 14 goals while conceding only 5 goals, to sit atop its group with 15 points, confirming its determination to regain the continental title.
- Sharjah: In contrast, the Emirati team is suffering from clear inconsistency, currently sitting in seventh place with 7 points from two wins, one draw, and two losses. Defensively, they are struggling, having conceded 12 goals, a worrying statistic ahead of their match against the tournament's strongest attack.
These facts put Al-Hilal in a position of strength, both on the field and in the transfer market, while Al-Ittihad seeks to organize its affairs and snatch deals that will bring it back to the podium.
