English Premier League
Al Nassr face transfer dilemma as financial rules put Abdulrahman Ghareeb renewal at risk
Al Nassr may be forced to lose two players during the current summer transfer window, with one potentially moving to Saudi Pro League rivals Al Ahli, because of financial restrictions imposed by the Roshn Saudi League.
The league’s Financial Control Committee has blocked Al Nassr from making new signings this summer because of the club’s financial difficulties. The only exception so far is Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa, who joined from Real Mallorca.
However, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, the league has approved another request from Al Nassr: permission to renew the contract of Saudi winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb, whose previous deal expired at the end of last season.
That approval is conditional on Al Nassr first resolving the situation surrounding midfielder Ali Al Hassan. Al Fateh are interested in signing Al Hassan, and his departure is understood to be necessary before Al Nassr can complete Ghareeb’s renewal under the league’s financial regulations.
Al Fateh, though, can only bring in Al Hassan if they first sell another player. The club’s Saudi full-back Saeed Baattiah is a target for Al Ahli, who are keen to secure his services.
The developments have placed Al Nassr in a difficult position. The club must accept that Baattiah will not join them and instead allow him to move to Al Ahli, so that Al Fateh can raise the funds required to sign Al Hassan. That chain of transfers would then enable Al Nassr to complete the renewal of Ghareeb’s contract.
Baattiah had previously been one of Al Nassr’s targets during the summer window. He came close to joining the club in a swap deal that would have seen international goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi move to Al Fateh.
That proposed arrangement ultimately failed to reach completion, leaving Baattiah’s future unresolved and complicating Al Nassr’s efforts to operate within the financial restrictions placed on them.
Ghareeb has already signed his new contract with Al Nassr, despite the agreement not yet being formally cleared by the Financial Control Committee. The required approval now appears close, but it remains dependent on Al Nassr’s ability to complete the planned move involving Al Hassan.
The club’s limited transfer activity is a direct consequence of the financial crisis affecting Al Nassr. While the exception for Samu Costa allowed them to strengthen their squad in one position, the restrictions mean that other deals must be structured carefully and may depend on player sales.
As a result, a move involving Al Hassan could have consequences beyond the midfielder’s own future. It could determine whether Al Fateh are able to sell Baattiah to Al Ahli and, ultimately, whether Al Nassr can retain Ghareeb.
