Winter Watch: Will Al Nassr Kick-Start the January Mercato Under Jesus?

What Khalid Al-Malek’s Comments Mean for January

Khalid Al-Malek, the non-profit chairman of Al Nassr, sent a clear message about the club’s plans for the forthcoming winter window.

Al Nassr fans are watching January with anticipation to see whether the champions will dive into the mercato, pursuing fresh reinforcements to maintain their flawless start in the Saudi Pro League, where they sit top with 24 points from eight games.

The owner stated in interviews that Jorge Jesus’s requests will be met; if he asks for signings, the club will respond. He stressed that it’s still early and there are matches to play before January arrives.

Could these comments reassure Jesus about January additions? Maybe, but the bigger question remains: does Al Nassr really need a winter window intervention?

Best Numbers, Best Form

There is a cherished coaching principle: don’t disrupt a team that is functioning well. This start to the season has been excellent for Al Nassr, and apart from a classic stumble in the King’s Cup quarterfinal, they haven’t shown a genuine crisis.

Any additions in January would probably complement several positions, not overhaul the side. Al Nassr’s defensive and attacking metrics under Jesus are striking: the team is among the best defensively, having conceded only four goals, and players have already struck 26 times, averaging more than three goals per game—a daunting figure for opponents.

Yet the numbers don’t tell the full story. The midfield still needs balance; when Croatian Marcelo Brozovic is absent, build-up and transition become trickier, given his unique mix of defensive and offensive duties. Abdullah Al-Kheibri has been improving, but he isn’t the sole solution, while Ali Al-Hassan remains a role player rather than a guaranteed starter.

Future and Possible Changes

With ACL duties looming, pressure will mount. Jesus is unlikely to rely only on the deepest bench in big matches and is expected to lean on core players again, which could raise the physical load through a congested domestic and continental schedule.

If a January tweak occurs, it might involve introducing another born player to offer fresh depth behind the foreign contingent, potentially replacing Wesley who has not clicked consistently with the rest of the attack.

Meanwhile, Bento’s future is a talking point; reports claim European clubs in Milan—AC Milan and Inter—are monitoring the Brazilian keeper, with Jesus reportedly open to letting him depart in January as Nauf Al-Ghidi could be favored in goal.

Bento’s arc at Al Nassr has been fluctuating since his 2024 arrival from Atlético Paranaense for around €18 million. He began last season as a starter, and the club even loaned Nawaf Al-Ghidi to Al-Fateh in the latter half of the season. Last season, the 26-year-old made 49 appearances, conceding 54 goals, roughly a goal per game. He did keep 15 clean sheets, including 10 in the league, 4 in the AFC Champions League among the elite, and one in the Saudi Super Cup.

If January whispers become reality, the market’s next chapters could redefine Al Nassr’s balance between defense and attack as they chase back-to-back titles in a demanding calendar.

Punchline time: If January transfers were a sniper, Jesus would be the marksman who brings a clipboard—still hitting targets, even if the plan looks like a PowerPoint presentation. And if things go sideways, at least the squad’s depth means there’s no panic button, just a “retry” button with six different players ready to answer the call.