Amidst the speculation surrounding the winter transfer window in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Fateh star Saeed Baatia addressed the controversy surrounding a fabricated conversation attributed to him, which allegedly contained insults directed at a fan of Al-Hilal. In an official statement, the player affirmed his complete focus on his current club, categorically denying the authenticity of the conversation that had spread like wildfire across social media platforms.
Details of the incident and the player's statement
The story began with the circulation of a screenshot of a conversation on the “X” platform, in which an Al-Hilal fan allegedly sent a message to the player saying: “My friend, you have no place at Al-Hilal, and the fans reject your arrival. Stay with Al-Fateh; we don’t need any more disasters.” The fake conversation showed an angry response attributed to Ba’atia. The player quickly denied this via his official Snapchat account, saying: “False content has been circulating in my name, and I would like to confirm that it is untrue and did not originate from me or any of my personal social media accounts. I respect all fans and clubs, and my complete focus is solely on my performance on the field. Thank you for your understanding .
General context: Al-Hilal is looking for reinforcements
This controversy comes at a sensitive time, as Al-Hilal, the league leaders and one of the strongest clubs in Asia, seek to bolster their squad during the winter transfer window, particularly at right-back. Saeed Baatia's name has emerged as one of the top local options on the table for the club's management to strengthen this position. According to reliable press reports, Al-Hilal made a verbal offer of 8 million Saudi riyals to Al-Fateh for the player, but Al-Fateh's management rejected the offer, determined to retain one of their key players.
The importance of the deal and its potential impact
The interest shown by a club the size of Al-Hilal in signing Baatia reflects the significant development in the player's level, as he delivers outstanding performances with Al-Nassr. The transfer of a prominent Saudi player to one of the giants of Saudi football not only impacts the local balance of power but also strengthens the squad's depth as they compete on the continental stage in the AFC Champions League. Despite the offer's rejection, the mere mention of the player's name puts him in the spotlight, increases his market value, and underscores the strategy of major clubs to attract the best local talent to bolster their squads already brimming with international stars.
Baatia's current contract with Al-Fateh runs until the end of next season, meaning he is still under contract. However, Al-Hilal's continued interest could open the door to renewed negotiations in the future. For now, though, the player has dismissed the rumors, emphasizing his complete loyalty to his current club and his commitment to giving his best on the pitch.
