Al Ahli are closing in on the free signing of Saudi striker Abdullah Radif after city rivals Al Ittihad withdrew from an agreed deal due to financial constraints, according to reports in Saudi Arabia.
The 23-year-old, who has just left Al Hilal on a permanent basis, had reached a three-year agreement with Al Ittihad worth a total of 27m riyals (£5.7m), Saudi newspaper Al-Yaum reported.
But Al Ittihad are said to have told the forward they could no longer complete the transfer this summer because of a lack of available funds, leaving the move on hold and opening the door for Al Ahli.
Radif is now expected to revive an earlier offer from Al Ahli and join the Jeddah club on a free transfer during the current summer window.
Al Ahli beat rivals to striker’s signature
Al Ahli, who have been active in recent transfer windows as they rebuild their squad, appear set to win the race for Radif ahead of their historic rivals.
Al-Yaum reported that Radif had “already agreed” to join Al Ittihad this summer, signing up to a three-year deal that would have paid him 9m riyals per season.
However, negotiations collapsed when Al Ittihad informed the player they did not have the necessary liquidity to finalise the move.
With that agreement effectively scrapped, Radif has turned back to Al Ahli’s proposal, which would see him move across on a free after his departure from Al Hilal.
From Al Hilal graduate to Jeddah move
Al Hilal recently confirmed Radif’s exit from the club, ending a five-year spell in the first team setup.
The forward was promoted to Al Hilal’s senior side as a teenager and spent much of his time out on loan to other Saudi Pro League teams, including Al Taawoun, Al Shabab, Al Ettifaq and Al Fayha.
Those moves were intended to accelerate his development and give him regular top-flight minutes away from the intense competition for places at Al Hilal.
Role at Al Ahli and competition for places
If the deal is completed, Radif is expected to start the season as Al Ahli’s third-choice centre-forward.
He would sit behind England striker Ivan Toney and Saudi international Firas Al-Buraikan in the pecking order, and compete with Brazilian attacker Ricardo Matias for additional attacking opportunities.
That hierarchy suggests Radif will initially be used as a squad option and impact substitute, with the chance to push for a greater role if he impresses.
Mixed recent form at Al Fayha
Radif’s most recent spell came at Al Fayha, where he played the second half of last season.
He featured in only eight league matches and did not score, although he did contribute two assists during that period.
Despite the modest numbers, Al Ahli appear convinced he can add depth and potential to their forward line as they prepare for the new campaign.
The move, once finalised, would add further intrigue to the rivalry between Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, with the former set to benefit from a deal their neighbours could not afford to complete.
