International media reports have revealed serious moves by the management of Saudi club Al-Ittihad to make Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's top scorer, a primary and strategic target for the upcoming summer transfer window. This move comes as Al-Ittihad seeks to fill the significant void left by the departure of French star Karim Benzema, who joined their arch-rivals Al-Hilal during the last winter transfer window.

Details of Al-Ittihad's interest in signing Mohamed Salah

The Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported on Wednesday that Al-Ittihad officials are determined to make Mohamed Salah the cornerstone of their rebuilding project starting next season. The club's management views signing Salah not merely as a technical acquisition to replace Karim Benzema, but as a massive marketing and public relations investment given the player's immense popularity in the Arab world and globally.

The current state of the union and the need for change

Al-Ittihad is experiencing a difficult season in terms of results, currently sitting in sixth place in the Saudi Professional League standings with 34 points – a position unbecoming of the reigning champions and their large fan base. This decline, coupled with significant changes to the squad, most notably the termination of Karim Benzema's contract and his departure to Al-Hilal, has necessitated the club considering high-profile signings to return the team to championship contention and fierce competition both domestically and continentally.

Mohamed Salah and the Saudi League: A dream renewed

This isn't the first time Mohamed Salah's name has been linked to a move to the Saudi League, specifically to Al-Ittihad. In the past, there have been strong attempts to sign the player, but Liverpool's insistence on keeping their star player prevented the deal from going through. With the contracts of some stars nearing their end and the Kingdom's desire to continue attracting the world's elite players as part of its ambitious sports project, the opportunity seems more favorable next summer to convince the Egyptian star to embark on a new experience in Saudi football, potentially becoming the league's next icon alongside the existing global stars.

Al-Ittihad fans are anticipating a hot summer, hoping that the administration will succeed in finalizing the Salah deal, so that he can be the new leader of the project to return to the top, especially in light of the strong competition that Saudi football is currently witnessing.

The controversy surrounding the future of Uruguayan star Darwin Nunez, the striker for Al-Hilal's first football team, has finally come to an end, after informed sources from within the Blue Castle revealed the full details behind the failure of his transfer to the Turkish league during the current winter transfer period, specifically to Fenerbahce.

According to sources close to Al-Hilal, the decision to stay stemmed from the player's own desire. The source confirmed that Darwin Nunez rejected the idea of ​​leaving the club at this crucial point in the season. Reports indicate that the player feels a sense of stability and great psychological comfort within the club, which led him to completely close the door on any negotiations for a new professional experience with Fenerbahçe, preferring to continue with Al-Hilal's ambitious project.

Despite the player's current stability, the decision by the team's Italian coach, Simone Inzaghi , to exclude Nunez from the squad for the Al-Akhdoud match has raised many questions in the sports community. This match is part of the Roshan Professional League competition and will be held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Stadium. However, sources have confirmed that this exclusion is a purely technical decision related to the coach's vision for the match and player rotation, and has no connection to the player's future with the club, thus putting an end to the rumors linking his absence to transfer negotiations.

In a related context, Núñez's continued presence is a significant gain for Al-Hilal, given the market value and technical skill he brings to the attack, especially in light of the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League this season. The Uruguayan striker's contract with the club extends until the end of the 2028 season, granting the club's management considerable negotiating power and administrative stability, as the player cannot leave or sign with any other club without the explicit approval of the coaching staff, led by Inzaghi, and the club's management.

Nunez’s commitment to staying at Al-Hilal reflects the great status that the Saudi League has reached as an attractive destination for international stars, as it provides a high-level competitive environment and facilities that rival European clubs, making the decision to leave a difficult one for any player who has found what he is looking for in the Saudi stadiums.

The reliable Italian journalist and expert in the global transfer market, Fabrizio Romano, has put an end to the controversy surrounding the future of Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez with Saudi club Al-Hilal, especially after the recent developments in the winter transfer window with the arrival of French star Karim Benzema.

Al-Hilal's stance on the Turkish offer

Romano confirmed via his official accounts on Wednesday that Al-Hilal's management has made a final decision not to part with Darwin Nunez, categorically rejecting the official offer submitted by Turkish club Fenerbahçe for the international striker. This rejection underscores Al-Hilal's commitment to retaining all its star players to compete for all available titles, as the technical staff considers Nunez a cornerstone of the team's future project.

Karim Benzema is a Hilali player... the deal of the season

This news comes on the heels of Al-Hilal's completion of one of their biggest winter signings, securing the services of former Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad after his contract with the club was terminated. Benzema's arrival has raised legitimate questions among fans and analysts about how the attack will be managed with two such prominent players as Núñez and Benzema. However, the decision to retain Núñez suggests the coaching staff intends to rely on squad depth or perhaps adjust the tactical formation to accommodate the presence of both stars.

Nunez's numbers with the leader

Al-Hilal had acquired Darwin Núñez, 26, from Liverpool during the last summer transfer window in a big-money deal. Since his arrival, the Uruguayan has proven his worth in the blue jersey, participating in 22 matches across all competitions. In 1487 minutes of play, Núñez has been a key attacking player, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists, making him a vital component of the team's attacking system.

The context of the competition and the development of the Saudi League

Al-Hilal's decision to retain Núñez, despite signing Benzema, reflects the significant evolution in the mindset of Saudi clubs and their pursuit of emulating major European clubs by boasting a strong bench and a formidable starting lineup. The fierce competition in the domestic league, coupled with continental commitments in the AFC Champions League, necessitates having more than one top-class striker to ensure consistency and player rotation, thus preventing fatigue and injuries. Combining Benzema's vast experience with Núñez's dynamism and physical strength provides Al-Hilal with diverse attacking options that could be key to dominating championships in the coming seasons.