Mohamed Rabie Hrimat was within reach of the Saudi Pro League this summer, but a stubborn valuation dispute derailed what could have been a marquee signing for Al-Ettifaq. The Moroccan midfielder instead chose Al-Shamal of Qatar, leaving Saudi Arabia's ambitions frustrated once again.
According to reports from Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, the Saudi Pro League's recruitment committee became the unlikely architect of their own setback. Negotiations between Al-Ettifaq and the 32-year-old midfielder reached an advanced stage, yet the committee refused to budge on valuation. They insisted on pricing Hrimat at just 1.5 million dollars, a figure that fell significantly short of market expectations. Al-Shamal demonstrated more flexibility, securing the player's signature for approximately 2.5 million dollars—a decisive million-dollar gap that swayed the Moroccan's decision.
Recruitment Committee Under Fire
This transfer mishap adds to growing frustrations within the Saudi Pro League regarding the recruitment committee's heavy-handed involvement in player valuations. Multiple clubs have publicly complained that the committee's rigid pricing stance has repeatedly undermined negotiations and cost them viable targets. The interference creates friction between clubs seeking autonomy in their transfer strategies and an overarching authority determined to regulate spending.
Hrimat's credentials justified higher valuation expectations. At the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar, he delivered standout performances as Morocco claimed the tournament title. His contributions earned him the competition's Best Player Award, cementing his status as one of the Atlas Lions' most influential performers during the competition. Such individual honours typically command premium valuations in the transfer market.
The failed recruitment exemplifies broader structural challenges facing Saudi football's ambitions. While the league continues investing heavily in star acquisitions and infrastructure, internal coordination failures between clubs and oversight bodies undermine competitiveness. As the Saudi Pro League pursues its vision of competing at continental level, reconciling centralized control with practical transfer flexibility will prove essential for future success.
