European Eyes on Merih Demiral: Will Al Ahli Jeddah’s Shield Stay Put or Head Abroad?

Demiral's Stance and the Contract Clock

Merih Demiral, the Turkish centre-back at Al Ahli Jeddah, has become the focal point of transfer chatter as his current deal runs down, set to expire at the end of the season. With the January window approaching, the defender could be free to sign with another club if no extension is reached.

The transfer world has circled Demiral after he recently shone for Turkey, and trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano indicated that several European clubs are monitoring his situation as the winter market opens.

On X, Demiral wrote that he intends to stay with Al Ahli and to extend his contract, effectively putting the ball back in the club’s court and turning attention to negotiations rather than headlines.

The Greatest Challenge

Beyond Demiral, renewals for other core players loom large for the club. Al Ahli has already renewed head coach Matthias Jaissle, a move seen as central to sustaining the project that led to Asian triumphs. The club now faces the delicate task of tying down more players who form the backbone of the squad, including several notable names whose futures remain uncertain.

Arguably the most talked-about name alongside Demiral is Frank Kessi, whose performances in midfield have continued to impress, while the experienced Édouard Mendy and Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez also figure prominently in renewal discussions. The challenge for the club is to preserve balance: retain the heart of the team while managing financial and sporting expectations for the season ahead.

On-field Impact

Since arriving from Atalanta, Demiral has been a standout defender in the Saudi Pro League, helping solidify Al Ahli’s back line and serving as a key anchor for the defensive unit. His leadership, physicality, and precise ball distribution have made him indispensable for the team’s build-up play as well as for set-piece threats.

Together with Ibanez, Demiral has formed a dynamic partnership that blends defensive resilience with moments of contribution going forward. His aerial prowess and capacity to win duels under duress have been crucial to Al Ahli’s improved defensive balance this season.

Rumors vs. Reality

Despite the club’s stated intent to keep him, European interest has not faded. If Demiral were to leave, Al Ahli would face a difficult defensive rebuild during a period when consistency and cohesion are particularly valuable. Yet for the moment, the defender has expressed a clear preference to remain, suggesting that a deal could be brokered with the right terms.

Upcoming Matches

Al Ahli are gearing up for a demanding slate: a league clash with Al Shabab, a midweek AFC Elite encounter, and further league fixtures later in October. The schedule tests the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility, with Demiral’s form remaining a barometer of the team’s defensive reliability as it pursues both domestic and continental success.

The club’s wider strategy, meanwhile, remains focused on keeping a stable core and continuing the momentum from a period of notable achievement, while navigating the realities of a competitive domestic league and Asia’s top competition.

Humor time: If Demiral extends, expect Al Ahli’s defense to gain the kind of rigidity that could make a cannonball jog around the box look casual. If Europe calls and he goes, at least the club won’t have to teach him to wear sunscreen at training—he’ll already be used to shade under the Jeddah sun. And if the rumor mill really spins, perhaps the only thing tighter than Demiral’s partnership with Ibanez will be the club’s post-deal press conferences—complete with a fresh batch of questions and answers that sound suspiciously like a transfer sitcom cliffhanger.