Al-Shabab Offer Humam Al-Hammami More Than SAR 10 Million to Fight Off Al-Hilal Interest
Al-Shabab are reportedly making a major effort to keep winger Humam Al-Hammami at the club, with the Saudi side offering him an annual salary of more than SAR 10 million. The proposed deal is intended to secure the 22-year-old’s future and discourage a transfer to Al-Hilal, their neighbours and long-standing rivals.
Al-Hilal are said to be monitoring Al-Hammami after his impressive performances for Saudi Arabia at the Arabian Gulf Cup, known as Gulf 27. His display in the tournament final, where he scored against the United Arab Emirates, helped elevate his profile and earned him the competition’s best-player award.
Al-Shabab’s contract offer remains unanswered
Reports from Thmanyah, a broadcaster of the Roshn Saudi League, say Al-Shabab presented the substantial salary proposal to the player’s representatives before the Gulf tournament. Al-Hammami declined the offer at that stage, and no agreement has been reached since. The club is now understood to be continuing its attempts to persuade him to extend his stay.
The timing matters. Al-Hammami’s current contract is reportedly due to expire next August. Under the relevant contract rules, he could enter the final six months of his agreement around February, allowing him to negotiate with other clubs over a potential free transfer once that period begins. For Al-Shabab, that creates pressure to settle the matter well before the contract reaches its closing months.
While the reported salary would make Al-Shabab’s intentions clear, money may not be the only factor in the player’s decision. His role in the team, the prospect of regular playing time, the club’s sporting ambitions and the length of any proposed contract could all shape the outcome. Until the player or either club confirms an agreement, the situation remains open.
Why Al-Hilal may be interested
Al-Hammami’s Gulf 27 performances have brought him into sharper focus. Scoring in a final and being named the tournament’s outstanding player are significant achievements for a young Saudi international, particularly as clubs continue to look for locally developed talent who can contribute in domestic and continental competitions.
Al-Hilal’s reported interest also adds a rivalry dimension to the transfer story. A move between two prominent Riyadh clubs would attract considerable attention from supporters, even if negotiations have not yet been confirmed publicly. For Al-Hilal, the winger could represent a chance to add a promising Saudi option to their attacking group. For Al-Shabab, losing him to a direct rival would be a sporting setback as well as a high-profile departure.
However, tournament form does not automatically determine a player’s next step. Al-Hammami will need to weigh the opportunity to join a title-chasing side against the possibility of a more prominent role at Al-Shabab. A transfer prediction at this stage should therefore be treated cautiously: reported interest and a rejected offer indicate that discussions may develop, but they do not confirm that a move is imminent.
Injury adds uncertainty to the decision
Al-Hammami has made eight appearances for Al-Shabab this season, scoring once and recording no assists. Those figures offer only a partial picture of his contribution, especially given that he has been unavailable since the Gulf tournament ended because of injury. His recovery and return to match fitness could influence both his immediate role and the pace of any contract negotiations.
For the player, the coming months may be important in demonstrating that his tournament performances can translate into consistent club form. For Al-Shabab, his absence makes it harder to assess his current contribution on the pitch, while also increasing the urgency of deciding whether to build future plans around him. Al-Hilal, meanwhile, may continue to monitor his condition and availability before making any formal approach.
The injury does not erase the impression Al-Hammami made at Gulf 27, but it does introduce a practical consideration for any club weighing up a transfer. Medical progress, expected recovery time and the player’s ability to regain rhythm will all matter alongside his potential, age and international experience.
What happens next?
Al-Shabab’s reported offer shows that the club is prepared to invest heavily in retaining the winger. Yet the proposal has not secured his signature, and the lack of a completed agreement leaves the door open to further interest. If negotiations remain unresolved as the contract’s final months approach, Al-Hammami could gain greater freedom to consider his options, including a future move without a transfer fee.
That possibility could make the situation increasingly significant for all parties. Al-Shabab risk losing a highly rated young player, while Al-Hilal could have an opportunity to strengthen their squad with a Saudi international whose reputation has risen quickly. Al-Hammami, for his part, must balance financial terms with career development and the chance to secure a consistent place in a competitive team.
For now, the central question is whether Al-Shabab can turn its reported salary proposal into a long-term agreement before rival interest gathers pace. The club has made its intentions clear, but the player’s rejection of the initial offer means the outcome is far from certain. Until fresh developments emerge, the most accurate prediction is that Al-Hammami’s future will remain one of the Saudi transfer market’s stories to watch.
