Al Hilal Winger Heads Out
11 January 2026
Loan Move and Mandash Swap
Mohammed Al-Qahtani, a winger for Al Hilal, has agreed to move to Al Taawoun on a loan deal, as part of a swap that also involved Sultan Mandash's transfer to the leader. Al Hilal had earlier confirmed Mandash's move after negotiations spanning the past period. The deal reflects a broader reshuffle in the Saudi Pro League, where clubs frequently exchange talent to balance squads.
Coaching and Playing Time
According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, Hilal's management gave initial approval to complete the deal before Qahtani gave the green light today, amid his exclusion from coach Simone Inzaghi's plans, who decided to dispense with his services.
Qahtani was promoted to the first team in 2021-2022 from the under-23s; since then he has played 57 matches across competitions, scoring six goals and providing three assists. In the current season, he has featured only six times as a substitute, totaling 47 minutes.
During his time with Al Hilal, Qahtani helped win seven trophies: two Saudi league titles, two King's Cups, the Super Cup, and the AFC Champions League, leaving the club with a trophy-laden legacy ahead of his move to the rival. Only time will tell if it pays.
Punchline 1: Loans in football are cheap rent with big drama.
Punchline 2: In football, a season loan is basically a postponed trophy.
