Saudi Star’s European Dreams Blocked: Ittihad Snubs 3 English Offers
5 March 2026
The agent stated that Al-Ittihad rejected three English bids for one of its Saudi players during the summer window.
The player in question is Marwan Al-Sahafi, on loan from Al-Ittihad to Royal Antwerp since the season began.
Ahmed Al-Mouallam, the agent, told the show Dourina Ghair that Marwan received several offers last summer, including Blackburn Rovers, plus two official inquiries from Queens Park Rangers and Watford.
He added that, at the time, Al-Ittihad was undergoing a transitional period due to the club's elections, which suggested things would take time.
He stressed the club refused to sell Marwan, stayed determined to keep him, and held meetings; the player wanted to depart to complete Beerschot experience begun last season.
During the period, Royal Antwerp's sporting director Mark Overmars contacted the club to explain their project, then spoke with Al-Ittihad's management to settle the matter, which happened.
Regarding Marwan's future, there is an official inquiry from a well-known English club that has played in the Premier League twice in the last five seasons, recently.
Beyond the transfer chatter, this saga underscores how clubs balance loyalty with ambition, and how agents wield whispers like magic wands—occasionally pulling a rabbit from a contract hat. Punchlines: contracts aim sharper than arrows; sniper mode engaged.
