Reliable press reports have revealed that Al-Hilal and Saudi national team right-back Saud Abdulhamid has attracted the interest of English club Newcastle United, who are planning to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season. According to the trusted journalist Graeme Bailey, scouts from the English club are closely monitoring the player with a view to making an official offer during the upcoming summer transfer window.
This interest comes as Newcastle, owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, seeks to bolster its right-back position with a young, dynamic player possessing balanced attacking and defensive capabilities, to serve as a potential successor to English star Kieran Trippier. Abdulhamid, 24, is considered one of the most promising talents in Saudi and Asian football today, thanks to his exceptional speed, playmaking abilities, and highly effective defensive contributions.
The rising career of a promising Saudi star
Saud Abdulhamid rose to prominence with his former club, Al-Ittihad, before making a controversial move to arch-rivals Al-Hilal in January 2022. Since joining Al-Hilal, he has experienced a significant leap in his career, becoming a key player in the team's lineup and contributing to numerous domestic and continental titles, most notably the Saudi Professional League, the King's Cup, and the AFC Champions League. He also delivered an exceptional performance with the Saudi national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and was one of the stars of the Green Falcons in their historic victory over Argentina.
The importance of the deal and its potential impact
If this deal goes through, it will represent a historic step for both the player and Saudi football. For Saud Abdulhamid, a move to the English Premier League, the strongest league in the world, would be an unmissable opportunity to hone his skills and gain experience playing alongside the world's best footballers. On a local level, the transfer of a prominent Saudi player directly from the domestic league to a club the size of Newcastle United will enhance the reputation of the Saudi Professional League and increase its market value. It will also open the door for more Saudi talents to play professionally in the biggest European leagues, which aligns with the goals of developing sports within the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Further developments regarding the player's future, whose contract with Al-Hilal runs until 2025, are expected in the coming days.
