Riyadh’s Transfer Fire: Will Al-Ittihad’s Saleh Al-Shehri Move Hit the Mark?

Riyadh intensifies bid for Al-Ittihad striker

In the Saudi capital, a striker from Al-Ittihad has sparked a fiery chase just days before the winter transfer window opens.

According to the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Al-Riyadh’s management contacted Al-Ittihad to sign international striker Saleh Al-Shehri on a loan until the end of the season.

Al-Riyadh has offered to cover all of Al-Shehri’s wages during the loan period in order to persuade the club to part with him.

The moves come at the request of Uruguayan coach Daniel Carenio, who heads Al-Riyadh and seeks to bolster the attack with a new player in the upcoming winter window.

Al-Riyadh isn’t the only club chasing the 32-year-old; another capital-based side, Al-Shabab, is also keen to sign a striker to cover for the injured Moroccan Hamdallah.

Al-Shehri has hardly featured for Al-Ittihad this season, appearing in 12 matches and totaling 356 minutes, with a single goal and no assists.

Punchline 1: If this deal lands, Riyadh may finally need a bigger cabinet for all the contract paperwork.

Punchline 2: If he scores, the winter window will stop being a cold front and start being a hot streak.