Danilo Pereira’s Future at Al-Ittihad Hangs in the Balance as Renewal Talks Heat Up

Questions swirl around the future of the Portuguese defender Danilo Pereira at Al-Ittihad as the season nears its end, with his contract nearing its expiration and no clear path forward yet. Sources say the club is weighing the payroll implications of a possible new deal.

His deal with the club runs out at the end of the current campaign, which would allow him to sign with any team in the upcoming winter window and move on for the next season on a free transfer. A renewal would also signal trust in a veteran who has become a defensive anchor.

Fate in Limbo

According to the Saudi outlet the club's management has started reviewing the renewal file in an effort to keep Pereira at the team beyond this season. Club officials stress patience as they weigh medicals and current form.

After this assessment, the final recommendation will go to club leadership, and the renewal decision for the Portuguese defender is expected to be made in the coming weeks. The decision will affect the defense lineup next season.

Pereira's situation is similar to Hassan Kadish, another defender aged 33, whose renewal remains unclear as his contract also ends this season. The two players share a similar fate.

By contrast, the club has already renewed Ahmed Sharahili's contract for two more years, keeping him at the club until he turns 33.

A Remarkable Journey

Pereira joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2024, arriving from Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal that runs until the end of the current 2025-2026 season. Since arriving, the Portuguese defender has been a cornerstone of Al-Ittihad's backline, whether under former coach Laurent Blanc or current coach Sergio Conceicao.

Over the past season and into this one, Pereira has appeared 42 times in all competitions, scoring four goals, with half of them coming in the King Salman Cup. Fans still remember the Portuguese defender's performance for Al-Ittihad in last season's cup semifinal against Al-Shabab.

Thus, Pereira's best performances may have come in those moments when he netted a brace to seal victory against the Lions, during a period when the capital-side enjoyed a revival, with stars such as Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah shining. There is no doubt that Pereira's high-level performances contributed to Al-Ittihad's league and cup double last season—the club's first ever achievement in the professional era.

Defensive Solidity

At the start of the season, Pereira drew heavy criticism as one of the pillars of a fragile defense, struggling to cope with Abdulrahman Al-Omari's departure and his return to his former club, Al-Nassr. And the team could not shake off the impact of his departure, especially with crosses becoming a weakness under Blanc's system, but Pereira gradually corrected positional errors and poor ball judgment.

With Rakovic back in goal, confidence and understanding rose, easing Conceicao's concerns about the back line for the big domestic and continental tests.

Pereira's physical resilience and game-reading ability have helped Al-Ittihad stabilize the defense and balance it with attack, especially in matches where the side faced sustained pressure.

Known for his time at Porto and PSG, he has developed a captain's aura on the pitch, shaping his leadership, not just covering back but guiding teammates and organizing the line.

He also shines when bringing the ball out from the back calmly and confidently, offering the team extra options in building play from defense.

His presence has reduced individual errors that cost the club points in previous seasons, thanks to smart positioning and ball-winning ability.

He also has a distinct aerial edge, both in defense and when attacking set pieces, strengthening the team's power in those phases.

While the team continues to seek consistency in results, Pereira's performances have made him a mainstay in the defensive plans.

The Portuguese player embodies professionalism and discipline at Al-Ittihad, maintaining physical and mental form, making him one of the most influential figures in the club's setup this season.

Punchline 1: If defending were an art, Pereira would be a certified marksman—targets locked, crosses denied, and still time for a cheeky clearance. Punchline 2: With him back there, the opponents’ crosses do extra cardio—run, miss, repeat, and benched for good.