Al-Ittihad winter transfer plans take shape as Jens Wissing weighs squad changes
Al-Ittihad head coach Jens Wissing has begun planning for the January transfer window, with a potential squad reshuffle expected to support the German manager’s tactical approach and the club’s ambitions across multiple competitions. At least three players could be allowed to leave as the Saudi Pro League side considers how best to strengthen its options for the second half of the season.
According to information reported by Kooora, a source close to Al-Ittihad said Wissing intends to create space in the squad and give the club’s management greater flexibility to recruit players who better match his requirements. The coach is understood to have concerns about several positions and is assessing whether changes could improve the team’s balance, depth and consistency.
Saleh Al-Shehri among the leading exit candidates
Saudi forward Saleh Al-Shehri is reportedly at the top of the possible departure list. Wissing is said to be interested in bringing in a younger centre-forward, potentially adding pace, mobility and a different profile to the club’s attacking options. A change in that position could give Al-Ittihad more tactical variety, especially when facing opponents who defend deep or press aggressively.
Any decision involving Al-Shehri would depend on the club’s assessment of its attacking depth and the availability of suitable replacements. A new striker would need to offer more than potential: Al-Ittihad will be looking for a player capable of adapting quickly to the demands of Saudi football and contributing in high-pressure league and continental fixtures.
Technical report expected to guide January decisions
Wissing is expected to submit a technical report to Al-Ittihad’s management in the coming days. The document will reportedly evaluate a number of players and outline the coach’s recommendations regarding their roles and futures. It is likely to provide the club with a clearer basis for deciding which positions should be prioritised in the winter market.
Midfielders Moath Faqeehi and Hamed Al-Ghamdi are also understood to be under consideration, alongside Al-Shehri. The three players are currently viewed as the leading candidates to leave in January, although the situation could change as the coach completes his review. Their status may also be affected by transfer interest, squad needs and the club’s ability to secure replacements.
For Al-Ittihad, the report could prove important beyond identifying potential departures. It may help clarify how Wissing wants the team to operate, which roles he believes need reinforcement and whether the club should focus on immediate first-team additions or longer-term squad development. A well-planned window could allow the coach to build a group better suited to his preferred style without disrupting the team’s momentum.
Al-Ittihad’s title ambitions raise the stakes
The club’s transfer planning comes as Al-Ittihad pursue major honours, including the AFC Champions League Elite and the Roshn Saudi Pro League. Competing on several fronts places considerable demands on a squad, making depth and consistency essential. Injuries, suspensions and a crowded fixture list can quickly expose weaknesses, particularly in key areas such as centre-forward and midfield.
That context helps explain why Wissing is reportedly seeking players who can meet specific technical and physical demands. Rather than making changes for their own sake, Al-Ittihad will need to identify additions who can strengthen the starting line-up while also providing dependable cover. The challenge is to improve the squad without unsettling established combinations or weakening the team’s options during a decisive stretch of the campaign.
What to watch in the winter transfer window
The outcome will depend on several factors: the recommendations in Wissing’s report, the club’s recruitment priorities and the availability of players who fit its budget and sporting plans. If Al-Ittihad decide to move on from the three reported candidates, the departures could open valuable squad places. They could also provide a clearer route for new signings to earn minutes and contribute to the team’s title push.
One key question is whether the club can secure a younger striker who is ready to make an immediate impact. Another is how any midfield changes would affect the team’s balance and ability to control matches. Recruitment in January can be difficult, as clubs are often reluctant to release important players midway through a season, so Al-Ittihad may need to weigh short-term solutions against longer-term value.
Al-Ittihad transfer prediction: targeted changes rather than a full rebuild
Based on the reported plans, the most likely scenario is a focused reshaping of selected areas rather than a complete overhaul. Al-Shehri’s position appears particularly uncertain, while Faqeehi and Al-Ghamdi could also be affected by Wissing’s assessment. However, no final decisions have been confirmed, and the coach’s technical report is expected to shape the next stage of discussions.
For supporters following Al-Ittihad’s football campaign, the January window will offer an early indication of how the club intends to pursue its ambitions. If the management backs Wissing with players suited to his approach, the changes could help the team become more adaptable across domestic and continental competition. Until then, the reported exits remain possibilities—not official transfers—and the club’s final plans will depend on the conclusions reached by its coaching and management staff.
