Press reports and informed sources at Al-Midan have revealed significant developments concerning the future of Al-Hilal's young player, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, during the current winter transfer window. These developments come after news that Al-Hilal's coaching staff, led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, has agreed to loan the player out to give him more playing time and the opportunity to gain valuable experience.
Sources indicated in exclusive statements on Thursday that the player's desire aligns with the club's vision, as Al-Qahtani aspires to go out on loan to gain sufficient playing time that will ensure his technical and physical development. This ambition stems from the player's serious desire to secure a place in the Saudi national team for upcoming competitions, most importantly his dream of participating in the 2026 World Cup, an objective that requires regular playing time and consistent improvement, which cannot be achieved by sitting on the bench.
Al-Taawoun and Al-Kholoud clubs have emerged as the most prominent contenders for the young winger's services, with both clubs seeking to bolster their squads with promising local talent capable of making a significant contribution in the second half of the season. Al-Qahtani is considered an ideal option given his skills and speed, which he has demonstrated throughout his youth careers.
Al-Qahtani's career and the difficulty of competing at Al-Hilal
It is worth noting that Mohammed Al-Qahtani, 23, was promoted to Al-Hilal's first team in the 2021/2022 season and is considered one of the club's promising young players. However, he faces significant difficulty securing a regular starting position in the current squad due to the abundance of international and local stars in the winger position, such as Salem Al-Dawsari, Malcom, Neymar, and (formerly) Michail, which has severely limited his playing time.
In terms of numbers, the player who plays as a winger for Al-Hilal this season has participated in only (6) matches, with a total of (47) minutes of play, during which he was unable to score or create any goal, which is a rate that does not serve the development of a player at the beginning of his football career.
The importance of loaning players to develop Saudi talent
The loaning of young players is gaining paramount importance in Saudi football today, especially given the high level of competition in the Saudi Professional League, which boasts a host of world-class stars. Loan agreements offer a golden opportunity for players like Al-Qahtani to prove themselves at clubs that provide them with confidence and playing time, which in turn strengthens the league and expands the pool of options available to the Saudi national team. The national team needs young players who are technically and physically ready to represent the Kingdom in upcoming international competitions.
