Transfer activity between Al Hilal and Al Nassr has intensified, signaling an early escalation in Saudi football’s transfer market as both clubs move to strengthen key positions amid growing rivalry on and off the pitch.
Al Hilal has initiated discreet talks with Al Nassr goalkeeper Raghid Al-Najjar, as part of a plan to reinforce the goalkeeping department following a technical recommendation from head coach Simone Inzaghi, who is keen on adding experienced local options to his squad.
This move comes in response to Al Nassr’s growing interest in Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Al Hilal and Saudi national team striker, whose contract renewal talks with his club have stalled. Al Nassr’s pursuit is reportedly driven by head coach Jorge Jesus, who views the forward as a valuable attacking addition.
While Al Nassr pushes forward with negotiations to secure Al-Hamdan on a multi-year deal, the club is also working to renew contracts for key players, including Abdulrahman Ghareeb, alongside Abdulrahman Sufyani and goalkeeper Raghid Al-Najjar, both of whom are approaching free agency.
Al-Najjar and Sufyani have attracted significant attention from rival clubs, with Al Hilal and Al Ittihad closely monitoring their contract situations in anticipation of potential moves should renewal talks fail.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal has kept Inzaghi informed of the ongoing contract complications surrounding Al-Hamdan, with the coach expressing a clear desire to retain the player. Despite this, the striker is currently assessing all available options, with Al Nassr emerging as the most serious contender.
These parallel negotiations underline the growing intensity of the Saudi transfer market, as Al Hilal and Al Nassr extend their rivalry beyond trophies into a high-stakes battle for domestic talent.
