Hilal move to hijack Al Qadsiah pursuit of Riyadh starlet after Summerville deal

Al Hilal have stepped into a late battle with Al Qadsiah to sign Riyadh youngster Ahmed Al Sayahi, only hours after announcing the arrival of Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville.

The Saudi Pro League champions confirmed on Friday that Summerville has joined from West Ham United on a four-year contract running until 2030, and are already turning their attention to further strengthening their squad with one of the Saudi league’s most highly rated prospects.

According to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Hilal have opened talks over a move for 21-year-old midfielder Al Sayahi, who has emerged as a standout talent at Riyadh in the Roshn Saudi League.

Hilal enter race after Qadsiah talks advance

Al Qadsiah had been on the verge of completing a deal for Al Sayahi before Al Hilal’s late intervention, the report says, with the Dammam club initially leading the chase for his signature.

Riyadh are understood to have rejected Al Qadsiah’s first offer, judging the financial package to be insufficient. In response, Al Qadsiah decided to increase their proposal and table a revised bid that would also see Riyadh team-mate Sultan Haroun included in the transfer.

Al Hilal’s arrival in the race has now complicated those negotiations, with the Riyadh giants emerging as direct rivals to Al Qadsiah for one of the most coveted young midfielders in the domestic game.

European interest in rising Roshn Saudi League talent

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri, described in the report as a well-sourced observer of the market, has also claimed that several European clubs are monitoring Al Sayahi’s progress.

The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the fastest-rising young players in the Roshn Saudi League and has already broken into Riyadh’s first team despite his age.

Last season, Al Sayahi made 19 league appearances for Riyadh’s senior side. Although he did not score or register an assist during that campaign, his performances have been enough to attract attention from Al Qadsiah, Al Hilal and clubs outside Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh now face pressure to decide whether to cash in on the midfielder and, if so, which package – domestic or potentially European – will best suit the club’s sporting and financial plans.

Hilal’s busy summer rebuild

Al Hilal’s move for Al Sayahi comes during an active summer transfer window in which they have already completed six signings.

Summerville headlines that intake following his switch from West Ham United, as the club look to reinforce a squad aiming to compete domestically and on the continental stage.

The Dutch winger joins new recruits Mohammed Al Owais, Sabri Dahl, Abdullah Al Anzi, Mohammed Al Sarnoukh and Nawaf Al Habashi, all confirmed by Al Hilal as part of their current transfer campaign.

The pursuit of Al Sayahi signals that Al Hilal are not limiting their business to established names from abroad, but are also seeking to secure some of the brightest young talents emerging from within the Roshn Saudi League.

For now, Al Qadsiah remain in the frame and continue to push to complete a deal that could also take Sultan Haroun from Riyadh, but Al Hilal’s late entry has turned the chase for Al Sayahi into one of the most intriguing domestic transfer tussles of the summer.