Anis Hadj Moussa's anticipated move to Ittihad Club has stalled dramatically after the Saudi Arabian side failed to provide the financial guarantee demanded by Feyenoord. The deal, which appeared imminent on Sunday following a verbal agreement between both clubs, fell apart during final negotiations when structural payment concerns emerged as a critical obstacle.
Feyenoord sought ironclad financial security before releasing their winger to the Middle East. The Dutch club's insistence on a bank guarantee—a standard protective measure for high-value transfers—became the decisive factor when Ittihad refused to comply with Rotterdam's requirements. Without this assurance in place, the medical examination scheduled for Hadj Moussa was cancelled and travel arrangements to Riyadh were abandoned.
Record Transfer Fee at Stake
The financial scale of this collapsed transaction underscores why Feyenoord held firm on their conditions. Multiple reports valued the deal at €40–44 million with performance-based add-ons included. Should the move have completed, Hadj Moussa would have become the most expensive player ever sold by the Eredivisie club, surpassing previous club records. The winger's exclusion from Feyenoord's recent matchday squad against NEC (lost 1–3) signals internal preparation for his departure, though that exit now hangs in limbo.
Ittihad Club's failure to secure the bank guarantee does not permanently terminate negotiations. Saudi Arabia's transfer window remains open, presenting the Saudi side with an opportunity to restructure their financial proposal and return with a revised bid. However, the sudden collapse raises questions about the club's actual financial capacity to complete such an ambitious signing at the proposed price point.
For Feyenoord, this temporary setback preserves their negotiating leverage should talks resume. Hadj Moussa's future remains uncertain, but the deal's breakdown demonstrates how quickly high-profile transfers can unravel when financial verification mechanisms fail to align between buyer and seller.
