Al-Ittihad's ambitious move for Algerian winger Anis Hadj Moussa ended in unexpected failure when negotiations with Feyenoord broke down over a financial security mechanism rather than money itself. The Saudi club had raised its offer to €37.5 million plus up to €4.5 million in add-ons—totalling €42 million—yet could not meet the Dutch club's demand for a full bank guarantee, derailing what would have been the club's marquee signing of the summer window.
The transfer saga unfolded rapidly until its dramatic conclusion. Al-Ittihad's German coach Jens Vissing made Hadj Moussa his top target after missing out on Japan's Ritsu Doan. By last Wednesday, both parties had reached a preliminary agreement at €27 million rising to €29 million with incentives. The player himself had approved the move and expressed clear desire to join the Saudi Pro League club. Management responded by progressively sweetening terms, ultimately exceeding their initial budget ceiling by more than €10 million to accommodate Feyenoord's escalating demands for additional conditions and performance-based add-ons.
The Guarantee That Killed the Deal
The structural obstacle proved insurmountable. Feyenoord insisted on a complete bank guarantee covering the full €42 million transfer value. This requirement would have forced Al-Ittihad to freeze the entire amount in a dedicated account, inaccessible until scheduled payment dates arrived. The club's financial leadership determined this arrangement was neither feasible nor strategically sound given the substantial commitments already made. Freezing such liquidity would have severely restricted operational flexibility during a critical window for squad reinforcement.
Internal division at Feyenoord complicated matters. While management initially favoured selling the star winger for a historic fee, the sporting director and head coach remained reluctant to lose Hadj Moussa. This resistance stiffened their negotiating position, transforming the bank guarantee from a standard precaution into a potential deal-breaker. Rather than compromise on this technical requirement, both clubs ultimately walked away.
The collapsed transfer leaves Al-Ittihad searching for alternative attacking options as the Saudi Pro League season approaches, while Hadj Moussa remains at Feyenoord facing uncertain prospects after publicly pursuing an exit.
