Feyenoord transfer of Anis Hadj Moussa to Al-Ittihad collapses

The record-breaking transfer of Anis Hadj Moussa from Feyenoord to Al-Ittihad has collapsed due to a dispute over payment guarantees. While the clubs had reached a verbal agreement on a fee potentially exceeding 40 million euros, Feyenoord insisted on a bank guarantee to secure the transaction. Al-Ittihad, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, declined this requirement, citing that state-backed funds do not typically provide such guarantees.

As the Saudi Arabian transfer window approached its midnight deadline, the lack of a finalized agreement and insufficient time to complete the necessary medical examinations effectively ended the negotiations. The failed deal prevents Hadj Moussa from securing a contract that could have earned him over 50 million euros over five years. Consequently, the 24-year-old Algerian international will remain with Feyenoord.

In related news, Al-Ittihad successfully completed the signing of veteran Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a one-year contract. Wijnaldum joins the club following his departure from Al-Ettifaq.