In a decisive move just hours before the winter transfer window closed, the board of directors of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad club succeeded in reaching a final agreement to strengthen the ranks of “Al-Ameed” with a promising European deal, reflecting the club’s strategy of combining global expertise with young talents.
Details of the agreement between the federation and Gustavo Sa
Reliable Italian journalist and transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Al-Ittihad has finalized an agreement with Portuguese club Famalicão to acquire the services of talented playmaker Gustavo Sá. Romano explained via his official X account that the two parties reached a complete verbal agreement, pending the completion of official procedures and the signing of contracts within the next few hours, making the player the latest addition to the Tigers' squad.
Who is Gustavo Sa? Numbers and statistics
Gustavo Sá, 21, is considered one of the most promising young talents in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The attacking midfielder possesses exceptional technical abilities in playmaking and linking play between the lines. This season, Sá has made 22 appearances for Famalicão across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing one assist. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is approximately €15 million, reflecting the high expectations surrounding his future in football.
Strengthening the midfield and injecting new blood into the squad
This deal comes at a time when Al-Ittihad, the reigning Saudi Professional League champions, are looking to inject new blood into their midfield to play alongside world-class stars like N'Golo Kanté and Fabinho. The signing of a young player like Gustavo Sá signals a shift in the strategy of Saudi clubs, which are no longer solely focused on acquiring veteran stars, but are now targeting young talents capable of contributing for many years, thus raising the level of competition and the overall quality of the Saudi Professional League.
A race against time before the transfer window closes
Al-Ittihad officials are racing against time to finalize all administrative procedures and register the player before the Saudi Arabian winter transfer window closes on February 2nd. Al-Ittihad fans hope the Portuguese talent's arrival will be a significant boost, helping the team improve its results and compete strongly for the remaining titles this season, especially given the considerable challenges the team faced in the first half of the season.
