Sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Al-Ettifaq club management rejected two official offers from Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad to sign the team’s player Radhi Al-Otaibi. Al-Faris Al-Dahna considers the offers not suitable in terms of the player’s technical value. Al-Ittihad’s offer included 11.5 million riyals plus the transfer of player Fawaz Al-Saqoor to Al-Ettifaq, but the club decided not to proceed with the deal. Al-Nassr’s offer was similar in financial value, but Al-Ettifaq showed no interest in completing the deal. The transfer of Bassam Hazazi from Al-Nassr to Al-Ettifaq is directly linked to Al-Nassr finalizing the signing of defender Abdullah Madu. If Madu signs with Al-Nassr during the current summer transfer window, Hazazi is expected to officially move to Al-Ettifaq.

Al-Ettifaq will benefit from the deal as Al-Nassr will waive 13 million riyals related to previous fees for Khaled Al-Ghannam and Mokhtar Ali deals, and also waive any future sale share of Khaled Al-Ghannam. Last season, Al-Ettifaq finished seventh in the Pro League with 50 points from 34 matches, a performance considered stable but below fans’ expectations who hoped for higher ranks qualifying for external competitions. With the new season starting, Al-Faris Al-Dahna seeks to improve its league position amid fans’ demands for positive results befitting the club’s history and capabilities, especially after the reinforcements made in the transfer market. The new roster saw the departure of influential players like Carl Toko Ekambi, Vitinho, Josen Escobar, Berat Ozdemir, and Marcel Tisserand after contract expirations, and the end of loans for several others. Transfers included Demarai Gray to Birmingham, Thamer Al-Khaibri to Neom, Hamdan Al-Shamrani to Al-Ula, and Mohammed Abdulrahman to Al-Ahli.

These changes are part of a technical restructuring to provide the coaching staff with more flexible options. Meanwhile, the club reinforced the squad with local and foreign players, notably signing South African Mohau Nokota from Orlando Pirates, the return of Ahmed Al-Ruhaili from Al-Nassr, Mishaal Al-Alaily from Al-Wehda, Czech Ondrej Duda from Hellas Verona, and additions like Abdulbaset Hawsawi from Damac, Ziyad Al-Ghamdi from Al-Ahli, Egyptian striker Ahmed Hassan Koka from Le Havre, and Costa Rican defender Francisco Calvo from Hatayspor. The management bets that these signings will enhance the team’s level and competitiveness in the new season. Al-Ettifaq fans look forward to seeing their team compete for top league positions, benefiting from a mix of young local talents, experienced players, and foreign names strengthening all three lines.

Supporters hope these changes will reflect positively on performance and results, especially with the clear management desire to meet their ambitions through quality signings and maintaining technical and administrative stability throughout the season. Despite the strong competition in the Saudi league this season, Al-Ettifaq’s task to improve its position is challenging but possible, especially if the team achieves a strong start and capitalizes on the large fan support in Dammam and other cities in the Eastern Province.