Saudi club Al-Ittihad continues its activity in the summer transfer market, aiming to strengthen its midfield options before the registration deadline. The club is seeking to add players who can provide new solutions for the team in the upcoming phase.
Al-Ittihad's Approach for Barreiro
In this context, Al-Ittihad has approached Portuguese club Benfica to inquire about the possibility of signing midfielder Leandro Barreiro, according to Portuguese newspaper Record on Monday.
Record reported that Al-Ittihad submitted an offer for Barreiro, but the proposal was rejected. The Saudi club was prepared to pay €15 million for the Luxembourg international, who has been a regular starter at the beginning of this season. The newspaper added that it remains to be seen whether Al-Ittihad will try again.
Fischer's Connection to Benfica
The report also noted that Al-Ittihad’s head coach, Yens Fischer, once served as an assistant to former Benfica manager Roger Schmidt, who was behind Benfica’s signing of Barreiro. Fischer is keen to bring the Benfica midfielder to Saudi Arabia, but Benfica’s board, led by Rui Costa, will not facilitate his departure.
