Transfer News, Rumors: Messi, Salah Link-Up Plotted; Fernandes Considers Man Utd Exit Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad has made a significant move in the transfer market, offering $231.9 million to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández this summer. The deal, reported by Fichajes, marks a major financial commitment from the Saudi side. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Casemiro has also been linked with a potential transfer to Al Ittihad, according to ESPN. Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, are reportedly preparing an offer for Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah as the Egyptian player prepares to leave Anfield. The Independent notes that Salah’s move to Major League Soccer is not a priority, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain also under consideration. Liverpool, seeking replacements for Salah, are evaluating options including Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, and European talents like Yan Diomande, Michael Olise, Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola, and Désiré Doué. Salah, who has not yet engaged with Saudi clubs, is expected to receive a two-year contract worth $116 million annually. Al Ittihad is positioned as his top target for the summer, as highlighted by winwin. Former employers Roma are also considering a reunion with Salah, per SportsBoom. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all vying for RB Leipzig’s center back Castello Lukeba, according to Sport Witness. Newcastle leads Tottenham in the race for Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, as reported by Football Insider. Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga has been offered to Arsenal, but the Gunners remain unconvinced and have other targets, per Mark Brus. Arsenal has also made an offer for PSG’s Senny Mayulu, a 19-year-old who scored in last season’s Champions League final.#al_ittihad #lionel_messi #inter_miami #enzo_fernandez #casemiro
King’s Cup semis set up rivalries, redemption and a potential giant killing The Saudi King’s Cup has reached its final stage, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli set to face off in the semi-finals at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, while Al-Ittihad will travel to Qassim to take on Al-Kholood. Both matches are scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00pm, with fans across the Kingdom eagerly anticipating the matchups that will determine the final participants. The semi-finals promise dramatic narratives, including the return of a historic rivalry and the possibility of an underdog victory. Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, two of Saudi football’s most storied clubs, are set to renew their long-standing rivalry in the semi-finals. The two teams have clashed in previous King’s Cup finals, with Al-Hilal emerging victorious in two of those encounters. However, Al-Ahli has yet to defeat Al-Hilal in a semi-final, a fact that adds tension to the upcoming match. The rivalry dates back to the 1970s, with memorable moments including Al-Ahli’s 2015/16 season, when they claimed their first league title in 32 years and defeated Al-Hilal in the King’s Cup semi-finals. The match is expected to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams still in the running for the Saudi Pro League title and the AFC Champions League Elite. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad’s semi-final against Al-Kholood presents a different kind of drama. Al-Kholood, a club under foreign ownership, has made history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their club’s history. This marks a significant milestone for the club, which has been led by owner Ben Harburg and head coach Des Buckingham. The match against Al-Ittihad, a team that has faced its own challenges this season, could be a turning point for both sides.#al_ittihad #al_hilal #saudi_kings_cup #al_ahli #al_kholood
Al Riyadh vs Al Ittihad Preview & Prediction Al Riyadh face a challenging match against Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League as they continue their battle to avoid relegation. The hosts, currently ranked in the bottom three of the league table, have struggled to find form this season. Their recent 3-0 defeat to Damak marks their third consecutive loss, leaving them in a precarious position. The team’s poor run of form has placed them firmly in the relegation zone, and this match represents a critical opportunity to turn their fortunes around. Al Ittihad, on the other hand, have shown signs of improvement since the appointment of former Porto manager Sergio Conceicao. The Jeddah-based side has maintained a strong defensive record, making it difficult for opponents to score. However, they remain outside the top five in the league standings heading into this fixture. Despite their recent defensive solidity, Al Ittihad are not expected to dominate the match, and the game is likely to be a low-scoring affair. The prediction for the match favors Al Ittihad, with analysts suggesting they will secure a narrow victory. The defensive resilience of both teams is expected to limit the number of goals, making an under 3.5 goals outcome the most probable result. Al Riyadh’s lack of attacking options and Al Ittihad’s disciplined backline could lead to a tightly contested game, with the defending champions likely to emerge victorious. The match will be broadcast in the UK on DAZN, which holds the rights to show three Saudi Pro League games per week. In the US, some matches will be televised on Fox, though viewers should check the schedule for specific details. For fans looking for betting insights, the article highlights Al Ittihad as the preferred choice, with the under 3.5 goals market offering a compelling option.#al_ittihad #saudi_pro_league #dazn #al_rittyah #sergio_conceicao
Surprise Regarding Al-Shehri and Concerns About Al-Nashri's Readiness in Al-Ittihad The lineup for Al-Ittihad's upcoming match against Riyadh is taking shape as reports confirm the fitness status of key players. Forward Saleh Al-Shehri has fully recovered from a calf injury and is expected to feature in the game, having trained intensely in recent days. His participation in full team sessions has provided the coaching staff with additional attacking options ahead of the encounter. Midfielder Awad Al-Nashri, however, faces uncertainty over his availability. The club has indicated that his physical readiness is not yet complete, and he remains in a specialized rehabilitation program following an injury sustained during the clash against Al-Hazm. Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah noted that Al-Nashri’s recovery is ongoing, and his inclusion in the matchday squad remains under review. Preparations for the match are nearing completion, with the team set to conduct its final training session on Thursday afternoon at the club’s stadium. After the session, players will have breakfast before the delegation travels to Riyadh for the game. Al-Shehri, 32, has made a significant contribution this season, appearing in 19 matches across competitions and logging 514 minutes of play. His efforts have resulted in four goals and one assist, highlighting his importance to the team’s attacking strategy. Other developments include the return of Youssef Al-Nassiri to training, as he prepares for the Riyadh match following his injury recovery. Additionally, the club has addressed disciplinary matters, with the disciplinary committee rejecting Al-Ittihad’s complaint against Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney.#al_ittihad #saleh_al_shehri #awad_al_nashri #al_hazm #al_riyadiyah
Al Khaleej vs Al Hazem Match Prediction and Betting Analysis The 25th round of the Saudi Arabian league will feature a clash between Al Khaleej and Al Hazem on March 6 at Seyhat. The match is expected to be a challenging encounter for Al Khaleej, which has struggled in recent fixtures. The hosts currently sit in 11th place in the standings with 27 points after 24 games, having endured a three-game losing streak. Their last match ended in a 0-1 defeat to Al Ittihad, following earlier losses to Al Kholood (2-3) and Al Qadasiya (0-1). Al Khaleej has not secured a victory in nine consecutive rounds, raising concerns about their ability to break their losing streak. Al Hazem, on the other hand, is positioned 10th in the league table and has not been a serious contender for top positions this season. The team has recorded seven wins, seven draws, and seven losses, with a goal tally of 26 and 44 conceded. Their recent performance includes a 3-1 win over Al Ettifaq and a 1-1 draw with Al Ittihad. Despite their modest standing, Al Hazem has shown resilience in some matches, though their defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern. Betting experts have highlighted several key points for the upcoming match. The most favored outcome is an Al Khaleej victory, with odds of 1.73. This prediction is based on the hosts' desperation to end their losing streak and their home advantage. However, Al Hazem’s away record is weak, having failed to secure a win in their last five official matches outside their home stadium. The last away victory for the visitors was recorded in December of the previous year. Another betting tip suggests an accurate score of 2-0 in favor of Al Khaleej. Historical data indicates that Al Hazem has lost to this scoreline in one of their last five encounters.#al_khaleej #al_hazem #saudi_arabian_league #seyhat #al_ittihad
