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Al Ahli Latest Transfer Rumours
Abhinav Agarwal

Al Ahli transfer news, rumours, and updates live:: Latest on Allan Saint-Maximin’s exit

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Al-Ahli Transfer News, Analysis and Overview – 2024

One of the Asian clubs that has inspired millions with their years-long spectacles because of the meteoric rise of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is Al-Ahli. The football club from Jeddah is an integral part of the Saudi top-tier football and has produced some sensational moments in football in the last season of SPL despite a surprise relegation in the 2021/22 season. Now, the renowned Al-Malaki are back in business following a third-place finish in the 2023/24 season. The main reason behind their extraordinary transformation of performance is their unlimited cash flow which helped them sign top popular players in the transfer market. 

They are one of the big clubs in the Saudi Pro League who have splashed the same level of cash like some other football outfits of the country in the previous year’s market and are expected to break the bank yet again in the 2024/25 transfer window following a busy summer transfer business.

The Al-Malaki have won the Saudi Pro League three times and have been runners-up on nine occasions in their entire history. Founded in 1937, they have maintained consistency in bringing in world-class players from different leagues and teams to King Abdullah Sports City. Sitting at an estimated net worth of £136 million, the Saudi Pro League outfit has the financial stability to go after any big player in the upcoming 2024/25 winter transfer window.

Al-Ahli Transfers Club Performance History

Al-Ahli put on a show in the transfer market just as other big Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad did in the 2023/24 transfer market by making multiple record-breaking signings. Before their relegation to the second division of the Saudi Pro League in 2021/22, the club from Jeddah were reluctant in luring in talents from the high-profile European leagues.

But the trend shifted when the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia decided to back the big clubs of the country for the development of the game. In the 2023/24 transfer window, Al-Ahli spent a whopping sum of £141 million in new transfers. 

The Saudi club have a successful transfer history which has witnessed many players etching their names in the glorious book of the club. For instance, Omar Al-Somah was signed in the 2014/15 transfer season for just £1.4 million from Al Qadsia. The Syrian striker went on to become the record goal-scorer for the Al-Malaki with 194 goals under his belt. Recently, Al-Ahli have signed the former English Premier League champion, Riyad Mahrez who has been making waves in the Saudi Pro League. The former Red Bull Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle was appointed as the manager of Al-Ahli, and the German coach has been making transfer decisions for his team ever since.

Al-Ahli Transfer Strategy and Philosophy

Before the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Al-Ahli were not very much active in the transfer market. Most of their transfers before 2020 were valued under £10 million, given the restricted policy of spending. However, after 2022, the Saudi Pro League club have been splashing cash without hesitation to bring talented European footballers to King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, attracting hundreds more to join the path. The transfer strategy of Al-Ahli is simple – Offer big money contracts to top players of popular leagues like Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga, and build a strong squad with global pedigree. 

With the changing landscape of Saudi Arabian football, Al-Ahli have also changed its philosophy of buying home-grown talents only. As the country is global and ready to challenge big European teams, the Al-Malaki are also making major moves to buy top talents from across the world.

Al-Ahli Transfer 2024 Challenges & Criticisms

The most significant transfer challenge that Al-Ahli have faced in the 2024/25 transfer market is to attract renowned players from the biggest European leagues. Despite the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez arriving at the Saudi Pro League, the country is still far from establishing it as a home of football. Many European and South American youngsters still prefer English, Spanish or German football over Saudi Pro League due to a lot of exposure and media coverage in Europe.

Recently, Al-Ahli made a staggering £1 billion offer to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior to acquire his services in the 2024 transfer market, but the Spanish giants have made it clear that the player is not for sale at any price. It will take years for a club like Al-Ahli to earn the trust of the world-class young players to buy them in the transfer market as their lucrative contracts fail sometimes.

Most Expensive Al-Ahli Transfers

Ivan Toney tops the list of the most expensive transfers of Al-Ahli as the English forward has joined the Saudi Pro League team in the 2024 summer transfer window on a £32.8 million deal. The Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez joined them in the 2023/24 transfer market after Manchester City made an £26.9 agreement with Al-Malaki. 

PlayerTransfer feeClub (from)Season
Ivan Toney £32.8 millionBrentford2024/25
Riyad Mahrez £26.9 millionManchester City 2023/24
Gabri Veiga£23.1 millionCelta Vigo2023/24
Roger Ibanez£23.1 millionAS Roma2023/24
Allan Saint-Maximin£20.93 millionNewcastle United 2023/24

Al-Ahli Transfers New Signings 2024/25

Al-Ahli have been very busy in the 2024/25 transfer market as they have overseen a lot of transfer battles in signing new players. In the summer window, the Saudi club made two new signings – Ivan Toney and Alexander. Both players have cost them approximately £39.8 million. Toney was signed by Al-Ahli after a series of disagreements with Brentford FC, who were reluctant to sell their top striker. 

PlayerTransfer feeClub (from)
Ivan Toney £32.8 millionBrentford FC 
Alexander £6.9 millionFluminense

Al-Ahli Transfers All Outgoing 2024/2025

Al-Ahli are one of the few major clubs who have offloaded plenty of top players in the 2014/25 transfer market. The most notable one amongst the player’s departures is Allan Saint-Maximin, who has joined Fenerbahce on a loan deal worth £6.4 million. Another notable departure from Al-Ahli this season is of Haitham Asiri, who has signed with Al-Qadsiah.

Player Transfer fee Club (to)
Allan Saint-Maximin £6.4 millionFenerbahce 
Haitham Asiri £2.14 millionAl-Qadsiah 
Abdulbasit Hindi£1.3 millionAl-Ettifaq
Ibrahim Al-ZubaidiFree transfer Al-Orobah

Top Signings for Al-Ahli in 2024-25

Al-Ahli have made two signings in the 2024/25 summer transfer window. Between the two new arrivals, Ivan Toney has been able to adapt to the environment of Saudi Arabian football quickly. The former Brentford man has already amassed three goals and as many assists in just 10 Saudi Pro League appearances this season.

Worst Signings for Al-Ahli in 2024-25

As the Saudi Pro League club has just made two signings in the 2024 summer transfer market, it is impossible to find out the worst signing of the season yet. However, Fluminense’s Alexander is yet to press the accelerator button at Al-Ahli. 

Al-Ahli Transfer Spend Till Now

The Asian club has been on a spending spree ever since they returned to the Saudi Pro League from relegation. Since 2023, Al-Ahli have spent over £180 million in signing new players. In the 2024/25 transfer season, they have also offloaded more than 11 players. In 2024, approximately £39 million has been spent in buying two new players.

Total spend (in 2024)Total receive (in 2024)
£39.2 million£9.55 million

FAQs

What are the most significant transfers in Al-Ahli history?

The most significant transfers in Al-Ahli history are – Riyad Mahrez (from Manchester City), Edouard Mendy (from Chelsea) and Omar Al-Somah (from Al-Qadsiah)

Who is responsible for transfers at Al-Ahli?

Currently, head coach Matthias Jaissle and Sporting Director Lee Congerton are responsible for transfers at Al-Ahli.

What are some of the most expensive transfers in Al-Ahli transfer history?

Some of the most expensive transfers in the Al-Ahli transfer history are – Ivan Toney (from Brentford), Riyad Mahrez (from Manchester City) and Gabri Veiga (from Celta Vigo).

What are Al-Ahli top transfers this season?

The top transfer of Al-Ahli this season is – Ivan Toney (from Brentford).

Which is the most shocking Al-Ahli transfer in history?

The most shocking transfer in the history of Al-Ahli is the signing of Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle United for a transfer fee of £20.94 million.

Saudi Club agree a fee with Brentford for Ivan Toney

As per ‘Sky Sports‘, Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli has agreed upon a transfer fee in the range of £40 million with Premier League’s Brentford in order to sign striker Ivan Toney.

The report further signifies that a medical has also been scheduled accordingly for the England international.

Ivan Toney had been garnering a lot of interest in the ongoing summer transfer window. Clubs like Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham, and Arsenal have been some of the names linked with a potential move for the forward.

With the transfer window nearing its closure, it seems like Brentford’s hierarchy has found the potential suitor for Toney in the form of Al Ahli. How the player fairs in Saudi, remains to be seen.

BREAKING: Napoli reach total agreement with Al Ahli for Victor Osimhen

Napoli has agreed to a €75/80m total package from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli for striker Victor Osimhen, who is expected to sign a four-year contract this summer. The 25-year-old is expected to pocket a whopping €30 million for the next four years.

Al Ahli would also include a release clause in his deal which would help the Nigerian facilitate a move back to Europe following the 2025 season. Osimhen has also been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, but he would now be heading to Saudi in the coming days.

The move is now down to Osimhen, who only has a few hours to make a decision before the transfer window shuts.

BREAKING: Vinicius Jr offered one billion euros by Saudi Arabia

The Brazilian attacker was reportedly approached by Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) officials to enquire about Vinicius’ interest in the Saudi Pro League as Al-Ahli are interested in offering the attacker a €1 billion contract which is worth around €200 million per season on a five-year period.

The player’s representatives have not dismissed the move to Saudi Arabia and claim this lucrative offer needs to be studied carefully before making any move. They would also have to pay the Brazilian’s release clause for that same amount if they are serious about singing him this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti said: “There is nothing. It is just speculation at this moment in the market. Nothing more. He is happy to be here.”

Kocaelispor sign Marcao on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli

Turkish side Kocaelisport have signed Al-Ahli forward Marcos Vinicius Do Amaral Alves, commonly known as Marcao, on loan from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. The Turkish club released a statement announcing the transfer that read:

“A transfer agreement has been signed with the Al Ahli club affiliated with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for the temporary transfer of professional football player Marcos Vinicius Do Amaral Alves to our club.”

The Brazilian has spent a significant amount of time in Asian football with Korean and Chinese clubs. Since joining Al-Ahli in 2023 he has had two loan spells. Marcao is now back in European football, especially in Turkish football, where he has spent a previous stint with Karagumruk.

Joao Cancelo wanted by two Saudi Pro League clubs

Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo is reportedly wanted by both Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq who are willing to match City’s asking price of €30m for the Portuguese defender. Cancelo spent a season-long loan at Barcelona and now reportedly seeks a permanent move to Camp Nou.

But, Barcelona are unwilling to match City’s price tag for the Portuguese international and is only willing to invest only €20m. Cancelo is not in favour of a move to Saudi Arabia and Man City are now desperate to part ways with the 30-year-old defender.

Cancelo’s agent Jorge Mendes has agreed on personal terms with Barcelona over another season-long loan deal for Cancelo but Man City would only agree with a mandatory buy clause.

Allan Saint-Maximin to join Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce

Not all the glitters are gold, that might be the right idiom to describe Allan Saint-Maximin’s career in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli. After spending only one season, the Frenchman is heading to Turkiye to join Fenerbahce.

Both Fenerbahce and Al Ahli have reached verbal agreement over the player’s transfer. Saint-Maximin appeared in 31 matches for the Saudi side and scored four goals across the competitions. 

Multiple reports suggested that one of the reasons Saint-Maximin agreed for the loan was Jose Mourinho. It is known that the Portuguese took the job last month and started to attract some players. 

The former Newcastle winger will undergo some medical checks and finalise the administration process to finalise the deal. With Fenerbahce, Saint-Maximin is expected to regain his touch after the Saudi move did not work out well for his career stats. (source: Fenerbahce)

Allan Saint-Maximin to Fenerbahçe: Mourinho’s Priority Target

Al-Ahli’s star winger Allan Saint-Maximin is on the verge of joining Fenerbahçe as coach José Mourinho has made him a priority target.

The Saudi club is looking to upgrade their roster and Saint-Maximin seems poised for a move to Turkey. Negotiations are ongoing and both clubs are close to reaching an agreement (Reports via Yagiz Sabuncuoglu and Fabrizio Romano).

Saint-Maximin (who earns an annual salary of 10.5 million euros at Al-Ahli) has agreed to a pay cut to facilitate the transfer. Fenerbahçe have offered 4.5 million euros in wages and Saint-Maximin will reduce his salary to 7 million euros.

Al-Ahli will cover the remaining 2.5 million euros paying a total of 5 million euros over the next two years.

Fenerbahçe are set to pay 15 million euros as the transfer fee. Al-Ahli will use this money to cover the 5 million euros difference in Saint-Maximin’s wages receiving 10 million euros net from the deal.

Joao Cancelo Attracts Interest from Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq

Following his loan spell at Barcelona Joao Cancelo is attracting interest from Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq. Manchester City are seeking to cash in on the Portuguese defender as they value him at £25 million ($31.8m).

Both Saudi clubs are keen on acquiring Cancelo adding to the competitive race for his signature. While Barcelona prefers another loan Man City are pushing for a permanent transfer.

Cancelo’s season-long loan with Barcelona has now expired, but the full-back has said he’s happy at the club and would like to continue.

Cancelo’s future remains uncertain with decisions expected in the coming weeks as City navigates offers from interested parties.

FAQs
The most significant transfers in Al-Ahli history are - Riyad Mahrez (from Manchester City), Edouard Mendy (from Chelsea) and Omar Al-Somah (from Al-Qadsiah)
Currently, head coach Matthias Jaissle and Sporting Director Lee Congerton are responsible for transfers at Al-Ahli.
Some of the most expensive transfers in the Al-Ahli transfer history are - Ivan Toney (from Brentford), Riyad Mahrez (from Manchester City) and Gabri Veiga (from Celta Vigo).
The top transfer of Al-Ahli this season is - Ivan Toney (from Brentford).
The most shocking transfer in the history of Al-Ahli is the signing of Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle United for a transfer fee of £20.94 million.