Al-Ittihad have stepped back from pursuing Azzedine Ounahi, the Morocco midfielder at Girona, as the Saudi club prioritizes a deal for Pedro Goncalves of Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese midfielder has emerged as the primary midfield target, with negotiations advancing toward a transfer worth approximately 30 million euros.
Ounahi attracted considerable attention from multiple elite European clubs this summer, with Ajax Amsterdam leading the pursuit for the 23-year-old talent. Girona remain willing to sell their Moroccan international but are holding firm on maximizing the transfer fee. However, Al-Ittihad's budget constraints mean committing to a Goncalves deal effectively closes the door on signing Ounahi at a comparable price point.
Financial Reality Reshapes Transfer Strategy
The Saudi club operates under strict financial parameters during this transfer window, forcing difficult choices over competing targets. With Goncalves negotiations advancing rapidly, Al-Ittihad lack the financial flexibility to pursue multiple high-value midfield signings simultaneously. This represents a shift from their initial interest in the Girona player, who has developed into one of La Liga's promising talents over the past season.
Rather than chase another expensive European acquisition, Al-Ittihad are now exploring domestic alternatives. Mukhtar Ali has emerged as a leading candidate to strengthen the midfield through local recruitment. This pivot reflects pragmatic management, allowing the club to allocate resources toward the Goncalves transfer while addressing squad depth through regional markets.
The decision underscores how transfer window dynamics shift when clubs move decisively on priority targets. Al-Ittihad's focus on securing Goncalves—a proven midfielder capable of immediate impact—takes precedence over pursuing Ounahi, who remains a longer-term prospect despite his obvious potential in the Portuguese midfielder's shadow.
