Portuguese Transfer Shake-Up Triggers Frustration at Al-Ittihad
8 February 2026
Background
Saudi press reports reveal a rift between Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao of Al-Ittihad and the club's management over the winter transfer window.
Al-Ittihad are struggling in the Roshen Saudi Pro League this season, sitting seventh with 34 points, sixteen behind the leaders led by Al Hilal.
Transfer Window Fallout
Last Friday, the club lost to its rival Al-Nassr at The First Park in round 21.
Not only that, two of the squad's pillars from the title-winning season left: Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, who moved to Al Hilal and Fenerbahçe on the last day of the window.
A Saudi newspaper reported Conceicao is angry with the management for not signing Gustavo Sá from Famalicão, who was seen as Kanté's midfield replacement; the 21-year-old can also operate as an attacking midfielder.
Al-Ittihad did sign Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri from Fenerbahçe to fill Benzema’s strike void, but the debutant failed to leave a mark in the Clasico.
The squad now braces for a clash with Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in the Elite Asia League on Tuesday; meanwhile, hopes remain for smoother times after the window, and a coffee, maybe.
Punchline 1: If this transfer window were a sniper joke, it missed the target but hit the budget with a smile.
Punchline 2: They wanted a playmaker; the result is a midfield shaped like a blank check.
