Al-Ittihad face fresh midfield concern as Neom target Faisal Al-Ghamdi

Al-Ittihad could lose another midfielder before the new season after Neom asked to sign Faisal Al-Ghamdi on loan until the end of next campaign.

The Saudi Pro League club are already dealing with a serious shortage of options in the centre of the pitch, with Brazilian midfielder Fabinho having departed, Mamadou Doumbia injured since the end of last season and Hamed Al-Ghamdi suffering a cruciate ligament injury during the club’s pre-season camp.

Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiya reported that Neom have approached Al-Ittihad about taking Faisal Al-Ghamdi on a temporary deal. The request would keep the midfielder at Neom for the entirety of the coming season.

Should Al-Ittihad accept the proposal, their midfield resources would be reduced even further. The club would then be left facing the new season with Senegal international Dion Lopy as the only available option identified in the report, amid a series of absences caused by injuries and departures.

Faisal Al-Ghamdi did feature for Al-Ittihad on several occasions last season, particularly after the appointment of Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao. His involvement had been expected to increase during the new campaign, making the possibility of a loan move another potential setback for the club.

Al-Ittihad have already been affected by the loss of Fabinho, while Mamadou Doumbia has not recovered from the injury he sustained before the conclusion of the previous season. Hamed Al-Ghamdi’s cruciate ligament injury during preparations has added to the problem and left the squad short of midfield cover.

The situation could become particularly pressing from the opening match of the season. Al-Ittihad are due to begin their campaign next Tuesday against United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira in the preliminary round for the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite.

The club would therefore enter a crucial qualifying fixture with uncertainty surrounding the depth of its midfield. A decision on Neom’s request for Faisal Al-Ghamdi could have a direct impact on the balance of the squad for the months ahead.

Al-Ittihad, nicknamed the Tigers, had been expected to rely more heavily on Faisal Al-Ghamdi after the opportunities he received under Conceicao last season. However, if the club agree to the proposed loan, the injury setbacks affecting Mamadou Doumbia and Hamed Al-Ghamdi, together with Fabinho’s departure, would leave the team with significantly fewer established midfield choices.

For now, the reported offer from Neom represents the latest concern for Al-Ittihad as they prepare to start the new season. Their first competitive test comes against Al Jazira, with qualification for the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite at stake.