Midfield Makeover: Al Hilal's Gulf Gem Could Pivot the Saudi Powerhouse
22 October 2025
Midfield Ambition: Al Hilal Eyes Gulf Star to Fortify Engine Room
Al Hilal is gearing up to strengthen its midfield engine, targeting a Gulf-based talent in the upcoming winter window to reinforce the center of the park.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Saudi powerhouse has placed Morad Hosawi, a midfielder from Al Khaleej, on its transfer shortlist.
Al Khaleej is open to selling but will demand a sizable fee, according to the report.
Who is Morad Hosawi? The 24-year-old midfielder was born on June 3, 2001, and operates mainly in the middle of the park. He began his career with Ohod Club’s youth teams before being promoted to the first team in 2022.
Over two seasons with Ohod, Hosawi appeared 26 times, scoring once and adding another assist. Last season he joined Al Khaleej on loan, making 32 appearances and scoring once.
Following a solid spell, Khaleej signed Hosawi on a permanent basis in the last summer transfer window.
At the start of this season, Hosawi has featured six times for Khaleej, five in the league and one in the King Salman Cup Round of 32, scoring once and providing two assists. His performances helped Khaleej begin the campaign in solid fashion, sitting in sixth place with nine points (three wins and two defeats).
Khaleej also progressed to the Round of 16 of the King Salman Cup after a 5-0 win over Al Ta’ee, setting up a clash with Al Taawoun.
Meanwhile, the future of two midfield pillars for Al Hilal—Portuguese Ruben Neves and Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic—remains uncertain as their contracts expire at the end of the season. Recent reports have suggested Savic was close to a renewal for two more years, with final contract details yet to be hammered out.
Savic has been a cornerstone since joining Lazio in 2023, establishing himself as a key midfield operator with a blend of physicality, vision, and a knack for decisive moments. He has occupied a pivotal role as the advanced midfielder, linking defence and attack and forming the hub of creativity behind the forwards.
His precise passing and ability to read space have made him one of the standout playmakers, contributing goals as well as assists. In the current season, Savic has played most of the essential matches for Hilal, contributing to goals across the league and the AFC Champions League group stages.
Alongside him Neves remains a vital figure; the Portuguese international is viewed as a leader and a stabilizing force in midfield, capable of long and short-range passes, and orchestrating play. His presence offers balance, enabling teammates like Savic and others to advance with confidence.
Neves is typically deployed as a midfield pivot ahead of the defense, initiating attacks and maintaining a high level of control. His leadership and European experience have made him a trusted asset for coach Simoni Inzaghi's philosophy of discipline and flexibility, anchoring the team's balance.
For Hilal, securing Neves and Savic would provide real stability if both choose to stay, while European interest lingers over Neves. The club will aim to finalize terms quickly to avoid a transfer-window scramble.
In the meantime, the Morad Hosawi pursuit signals a broader plan to refresh the squad’s midfield with young, dynamic players who can grow into leaders within a title-chasing team.
And if this window ends with a midfield engine-room fully fueled, fans may start praying for a clean sheet—though with Savic's long-range strikes and Neves's precision, goals might just follow. If football is a stage, Hilal seems ready to audition for the leading roles in the midfield blockbuster. And yes, if patience were a transfer fee, Hilal would be the club with the budget-friendly, long-term plan that still ends with a standing ovation.
