Reliable French press reports have revealed rapid developments in the contracts file of the Saudi Al-Ittihad club during the current winter transfer period, as “Al-Ameed” is on the verge of finalizing a promising attacking deal from the French league to strengthen the ranks of the first football team.

According to a report published Monday by the French website Foot Mercato, Al-Ittihad officials have reached a near-final agreement with young striker George Ilenikhina, currently playing for AS Monaco. The report indicates that Al-Ittihad's management successfully convinced the 19-year-old player of the club's project, agreeing to a long-term contract extending until 2029. The deal is valued at approximately €33 million, reflecting the club's strong desire to invest in young talent.

A promising career and a rising talent

Despite his young age, George Ilenikhina boasts an impressive sporting record. He joined Monaco during the summer transfer window of the 2024/2025 season from Belgian side Royal Antwerp. The player had attracted considerable attention during his time in Belgium, demonstrating exceptional goal-scoring ability and quick reflexes in the penalty area, making him a target for several European clubs before Monaco secured his services.

On the digital level this season, the young Nigerian striker played (20) matches wearing the jersey of the French principality club, during which he succeeded in scoring four goals, during (437) minutes of play, which is a good rate for a substitute player seeking to prove himself in one of the top five leagues.

Strategy for attracting young talent

This potential deal comes amidst a notable strategic shift in the transfer policy of Saudi Pro League clubs, particularly Al-Ittihad. After focusing in previous seasons on attracting seasoned international stars, the club is now moving towards building a team for the future by signing young talents with significant room for development, capable of contributing for many years to come.

This deal is of particular importance to Al-Ittihad Club, which seeks to strengthen its attacking options and find effective and young alternatives capable of carrying the team's banner in the future, and competing strongly for all local and continental titles, especially in light of the intense competition that the Saudi League is currently witnessing.

Informed sources have settled the controversy surrounding the future of Saudi international right-back, Saud Abdulhamid, who currently plays for French club Lens, amid reports that the two Riyadh giants, Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr, are keen to acquire his services during the current winter transfer window.

Sources told Al-Midan that Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr clubs have not submitted any official offer to sign the player. The statements made on Monday indicated that there is no official offer submitted to the Saudi national team player and Lens club by the management of Al-Hilal or Al-Nasr at the present time, thus denying all the rumors that linked the player to a quick return to the Roshan Professional League.

Saud Abdul Hamid's stance on remaining in Europe

The same sources emphasized that the 26-year-old player is staying with his French club, where he is currently focused on proving himself in European football. Saud Abdulhamid is playing this season on loan at Lens from Italian side Roma, a professional experience through which he seeks to gain more experience and exposure to French football, known for its physicality and technical prowess.

Saud Abdulhameed's numbers with Lance

On the technical side, the right-back, whose market value is around €3 million, continues to deliver increasingly impressive performances. He has made 15 appearances for Lens so far, contributing to the attack with one goal and two assists, playing a total of 619 minutes, reflecting his gradual integration into the French team's system.

The importance of Saud Abdulhameed's professional experience

Saud Abdulhamid's experience holds immense significance for Saudi football, as his previous transfer from Al-Hilal to AS Roma was a historic step, making him the first Saudi player to play professionally in the Italian Serie A (Calcio). Saudi fans view this experience as a gateway for more local talents to pursue professional careers in Europe's top five leagues, which will positively impact the performance of the Saudi national team in upcoming international competitions.

Why is the player's name associated with Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr?

The connection between Saud Abdulhamid and a return to Saudi Arabia stems from his high technical ability and the scarcity of local players with the same quality and international experience at right-back. Both Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are looking to bolster their squads with top local talent to compete for all titles. However, the player's current desire and inclination are geared towards continuing his professional career in Europe, supported by his existing contract with Roma and his current loan spell with Lens.

FC Barcelona announced in an official statement that their Brazilian star Rafinha has suffered a muscle injury that will sideline him temporarily, posing a new challenge for the coaching staff led by German manager Hansi Flick at a crucial stage of the season. The Catalan club confirmed that medical tests revealed the international winger is suffering from "strain in the adductor muscle of his right leg," which necessitates rest and treatment.

Details of the injury and the cup match

According to the club's medical statement released on Monday, Rafinha has been ruled out of the squad that will face Albacete on Tuesday in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. The statement explained that the player will be sidelined for one week as a precautionary measure, with the medical staff preferring not to risk further injury and to ensure his full recovery, especially since he was unable to complete the second half of the recent league match against Elche, which Barcelona won 3-1.

Context of the injury and the player's medical history

This injury comes at a sensitive time for Rafinha, who has already endured an inconsistent season in terms of physical condition. The Brazilian player was sidelined for nearly two months earlier due to a serious hamstring injury, which was compounded by two setbacks during his rehabilitation. This complex medical history explains the extreme caution being exercised by coach Hansi Flick and his medical staff, as the club seeks to avoid a scenario of long-term injuries that could deprive the team of its key players in the final stages of domestic and continental competitions.

The importance of timing and the challenges for Hansi Flick

Barcelona faces a congested fixture schedule, and the Copa del Rey is a key objective for the team this season as they look to add to their trophy collection. Rafinha's absence from the Albacete match forces coach Flick to find effective attacking alternatives to secure passage to the semi-finals, especially in cup competitions where there is no room for error. Managing the players' physical workload is a major challenge for top European clubs, as the pressure of consecutive matches leads to an increase in muscle injuries, something Barcelona is trying to address through squad rotation and careful medical management.

Condi's return: a bright spot

On the other hand, Monday's training session brought good news for Barcelona fans, with the return of French international defender Jules Koundé to group training. Koundé had also left the Elche match due to muscle cramps, but his quick recovery and readiness provide a morale and tactical boost to the team's defense ahead of upcoming matches, partially compensating for the impactful absence of Rafinha in attack.