Aballou: A site made by fans, for fans

70 Million Riyals Stop Ittihad's Dream Move for Walid Al-Ahmad

25 January 2026

70 Million Riyals Stop Ittihad's Dream Move for Walid Al-Ahmad
Ittihad's bid stalls as price tag looms large.

Transfer Talks Stall Over Hefty Fee

Al-Ittihad's board remained firm against the fee set by Al-Taawon for the defender Walid Al-Ahmad as negotiations continued in the current transfer window.

Saudi press outlet al-Riyadia reported that Al-Taawon demanded about 70 million riyals in exchange for releasing the player, a figure the Ittihad camp deemed excessive and misaligned with the player's value.

As a result, club officials paused talks temporarily and started evaluating other options in central defense, while leaving room to resume negotiations should Taawon lower its demands.

Earlier, Al-Ittihad awaited a response to an official bid to purchase Al-Ahmad's contract, which included a club sum plus a separate player proposal with a lucrative annual salary and several negotiation options discussed by the two sides.

Al-Ahmad has delivered standout performances this season for Al-Taawon and shone last season as well, which kept him on France coach Herve Renard's radar for the Saudi national team.

Next Steps and Possible Alternatives

Any decision now hinges on the price tag dropping, or on the defender earning a different offer.

Author

Avatar

Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were negotiations paused?

Al-Taawon's fee of about 70 million SAR was deemed excessive by Al-Ittihad, prompting a pause to reassess.

Who is the player involved?

Defender Walid Al-Ahmad, currently with Al-Taawon, is the player in focus.

What are the next possible steps?

Al-Ittihad may explore other center-back options and wait for a price drop to resume talks.