French press reports have revealed a major surprise regarding the future of Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao, the current technical director of the Saudi Al-Ittihad club, as his name is now being strongly mentioned within the corridors of the French club Olympique Marseille as a possible savior for the team in light of its current crisis.

Marseille are looking for a lifeline after sacking De Zerbi

According to the renowned French website Foot Mercato, the management of the southern French club has placed Sergio Conceição at the top of their shortlist of candidates to take over as head coach. This swift move comes after the official decision to dismiss Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose tenure with the team ended disastrously following a humiliating 5-0 defeat in "Le Classique" against arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, in addition to the team's early and disappointing exit from the Champions League group stage.

The penalty clause obstacle and the federation's stance

The report indicated that Marseille's desire to sign Conceição faces a financial and legal obstacle: the coach is under contract with Al-Ittihad. This contract includes a €4.5 million release clause, a sum that could complicate direct negotiations between the French club and the Portuguese coach, especially mid-season. Despite the lack of official contact so far, Conceição enjoys strong support from influential figures within the Marseille management who value his experience and leadership qualities.

Why Conceição? The context of the crisis and the solution

Marseille's interest in Conceição stems from the coach's strong personality and strict tactical discipline, qualities the French team currently lacks in the dressing room. Historically, Marseille has been known as a demanding environment requiring a coach with an iron will to handle the pressure from the fans at the Stade Vélodrome. Officials believe Conceição's past successes and his ability to build competitive teams make him the ideal choice to lift the team out of its current psychological and technical slump following the humiliating 5-0 defeat.

Conceição's journey with the Dean

On the other hand, Conceição is experiencing a mixed period with Al-Ittihad. While the team hasn't achieved the desired results in the Saudi Professional League this season since he took over from Frenchman Laurent Blanc, he has clearly made his mark on the continental stage. The Portuguese coach successfully led Al-Ittihad to the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League, demonstrating his ability to manage major, decisive matches, which makes him a target for European clubs seeking experienced coaches.

The scene remains open to all possibilities. While the name of Habib Beye, the former coach of Red Star and Rennes, stands out as a competing candidate, the file of Conceição remains the most attractive and complex at the same time, pending what the coming days will bring in terms of official moves or a settlement of the contract with the Saudi side.

Young Saudi striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored his first official goal for Al-Nassr, during the match that brought his team together with their Turkmenistani counterpart, Arkadağ, in the AFC Champions League 2 competition. This goal confirmed a successful and ideal start for the player with his new team, announcing the beginning of a new journey in his football career.

Al-Hamdan joined Al-Nassr during the last winter transfer window from their arch-rivals Al-Hilal, in a deal aimed at bolstering the team's attack. He made his first start today since joining, wasting no time and scoring immediately, demonstrating his physical and technical readiness and his quick adaptation to the team's tactical system and playing style.

This match holds particular significance as it falls within the new edition of the Asian Champions League, a tournament Al-Nassr is determined to win to bolster its continental trophy cabinet. Al-Hamdan's goal in his first start serves as a reassuring message to Al-Nassr fans, who are eagerly anticipating further signings, especially given the fierce competition both domestically and continentally.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan is considered one of Saudi Arabia's most promising strikers, possessing high technical abilities and intelligent movement inside the penalty area. His move to Al-Nassr stems from a desire for more playing time and to prove himself, something he has already begun to achieve in this match. The striker's early goal gives him a huge morale boost and relieves the pressure that often accompanies major transfers between popular clubs.

Al-Hamdan's promising start reflects very positive signs for the team's coaching staff, led by coach Jorge Jesus, who relies on the team's diverse attacking options. The player has shown clear harmony with his teammates in the attacking third, giving the coach additional tactical choices in upcoming matches.

In conclusion, Abdullah Al-Hamdan aspires to capitalize on this strong start to permanently establish himself in Al-Nasr's starting lineup, continue to shine and score goals in upcoming Asian and local competitions, and contribute to leading the team towards championship titles.

A recent report by the CIES Football Observatory has revealed the ranking of clubs with the highest net spending in the transfer market during the last two windows leading up to the 2025-2026 season. Arsenal topped the global list with a massive net deficit of €362 million, having spent €378 million to strengthen their squad while generating only €16 million in revenue from player sales, reflecting the club's ambition to win major titles.

This lavish spending by Arsenal comes amidst fierce competition in the English Premier League, as the club's management seeks to provide all the necessary resources to compete both domestically and in Europe. Liverpool came in second with a net expenditure of €244 million, while Manchester City finished third with a net expenditure of €208 million, relying on a larger number of signings (25) to ensure squad depth and rotate tactical options.

Globally, outside of Europe, Saudi Arabia continued to solidify its position as a new football powerhouse. Al-Hilal topped the list of non-European clubs, ranking fourth globally with a net spend of €195 million. The club spent €207 million, generating €12 million in revenue across 11 transfers. This reflects a clear strategy of direct investment to bring in top stars and strengthen the squad without relying on sales revenue, aligning with the Kingdom's ambitious sports development plan under Vision 2030.

The Saudi presence wasn't limited to Al-Hilal; the list also included notable representation from other clubs, confirming the sustainability of the Saudi sports project. Neom FC ranked 18th globally with a net expenditure of €108 million, followed by Al-Ittihad in 19th place with a net expenditure of €104 million, and Al-Qadisiyah in 20th place with a deficit of €87 million. Al-Nassr also appeared outside the top 20 with a net expenditure of €76 million, and finally, Al-Ahli with a deficit of €47 million, which was recorded as the highest-earning Saudi club among those included in the report.

In the fifth through tenth positions globally were Sunderland, Manchester United, Tottenham, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, and Everton. The report confirms that the calculated spending includes add-ons and resale percentages to reflect the full and realistic value of the deals. This report highlights how the transfer market has transformed into a strategic arena reflecting the competitive ambitions of clubs, with a notable increase in the influence of Saudi clubs, which are now rivaling Europe's elite in financial power and ability to attract star players.