Goalkeeper Shuffle Sparks Fire in Saudi Giants: Raikovic on the Brink as Conceicao Sets the Rules
17 November 2025
Rotation fuels a goalkeeper reshuffle at Al Ittihad
Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao of Al Ittihad has launched a goalkeeper reshuffle, driven by his own tactical calculations this season ahead.
The club is preparing for the winter window in January, aiming to sign a local goalkeeper, a move that could threaten the position of Raikovic, the Serbian veteran at the club since last season.
Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that Conceicao is targeting a domestic keeper in the winter window to maximize the value of eight foreign slots available on matchdays.
Al Ittihad has been linked with Mohammed Al-Owais, the former Al-Hilal keeper, who tops the list after his move to Al-Ula in the Yellow League last summer.
Al-Ula management has not received an official bid yet, and the keeper enters the last six months of his contract in January, which could allow him to sign with another club.
Yet Al-Ula also wants to keep Al-Owais, seeing him as a cornerstone of a possible rise to the Pro League.
Al-Owais has played eight matches for Al-Ula, conceding five and keeping four clean sheets so far.
Meanwhile Al-Ula sits atop the Yellow League table with twenty points from six wins and two draws so far.
Raikovic has 58 international appearances since 2012, with his last international showing in the Gulf Cup a year earlier for his country.
In the field, the team faces a tough season after the split with coach Laurent Blanc and the arrival of Raikovic, with the defense under strain.
In addition, a number of stars, including captain Karim Benzema, may have uncertain futures as his contract ends at the season's close.
Benzema has said he could stay beyond the current term, though any decision depends on many factors and the club plans, with him turning 38 in December and still feeling physically ready.
European clubs have shown interest, notably Benfica under Jose Mourinho's leadership, though other clubs including Fenerbahce have been linked with the Real Madrid legend.
As rumors swirl, Benzema has not publicly announced any decisive move yet, inviting discussion of his future with the team and in football generally.
PUNCHLINES—Two light moments to end this note, Sniper style: 1) If Raikovic keeps saving like this, he might need a bigger helmet than the transfer market has on stock. 2) January rumors are the only thing moving faster than the ball; expect a flurry of headlines before the whistle blows.
