Al-Ittihad Takeover Review Advances, but Ownership Decision Could Wait Until 2027
The search for a new investor at Al-Ittihad is moving into a more detailed phase, but the Saudi club’s ownership transfer may still take time. According to a report by Saudi newspaper Okaz, the process could extend until the end of 2027, depending on the outcome of financial and administrative checks on potential buyers.
The latest update offers a clearer picture of why the takeover has not yet reached its conclusion. Interested parties are being assessed not only on the size of their financial resources, but also on where their funding comes from, what obligations they already carry and whether they have the experience and capacity to operate a major football club.
Financial and administrative checks continue
A source close to Al-Ittihad’s management told Okaz that the ownership file has reached an advanced stage of review. The evaluation reportedly includes a close examination of applicants’ financial solvency, funding sources and existing liabilities. Authorities are also considering whether each potential investor could meet the club’s needs in both the near and medium term.
Those tests are important because taking control of a prominent club involves more than paying for a stake. A new owner must be able to support day-to-day operations, plan for future investment and manage the responsibilities that come with competing at the highest level of Saudi football. The review is therefore intended to establish whether applicants can provide sustainable backing, rather than simply make an attractive initial offer.
The source said the process covers both Saudi and international investors and is being conducted under the rules set by the body overseeing the ownership transition. No names have been disclosed, and officials have not announced a confirmed date for completing the sale.
Different rules for local and foreign investors
The reported framework sets out different conditions for domestic and overseas applicants. Foreign investors must include a local partner in their ownership structure, in accordance with the approved regulations. That requirement means an international bid would need to demonstrate not only financial strength, but also a compliant partnership arrangement within Saudi Arabia.
Local investors, meanwhile, may apply individually for a stake of up to 70 per cent, provided they satisfy the required financial and administrative standards. Applicants must show that they have the resources to manage the club and meet its obligations. This places operational capability alongside funding as a central part of the decision-making process.
For supporters, the distinction matters because the eventual ownership model could shape how the club is financed and governed. A local majority stake, a partnership involving foreign capital or another approved arrangement could each bring different priorities. Until the review is complete, however, it remains too early to predict which structure will be selected.
Talks have progressed, but no closing date is confirmed
Negotiations with interested parties are continuing, the source said, and the review has moved beyond an initial screening of applications. The submitted files are now being assessed in greater detail, including their financial and administrative components, before a final evaluation and any executive steps can take place.
The source also indicated that the process has advanced since discussions began at the end of last season. Al-Ittihad may be closer to identifying its future owner than it was at the outset, but progress should not be confused with a completed agreement. The final decision depends on the results of the checks and formal approval of the findings.
The possibility of the file remaining open until late 2027 suggests that the authorities are prioritising a thorough assessment over a quick announcement. A longer timeline can be frustrating for fans hoping for clarity, particularly as ownership decisions often influence recruitment, budgets and long-term planning. Yet careful scrutiny may help reduce the risk of a deal that cannot deliver the financial stability or management support the club requires.
What the takeover could mean for Al-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad’s ownership future is significant well beyond the boardroom. The club competes in a high-profile Saudi Pro League environment, where expectations around results, investment and squad development are substantial. The identity and capabilities of a new investor could influence the club’s approach to player recruitment, infrastructure, commercial growth and its wider ambitions in domestic and continental football.
Even so, a change in ownership would not automatically guarantee immediate success on the pitch. Effective planning, responsible spending and continuity in football operations are also essential. A strong investor can provide resources, but the club’s ability to turn those resources into a competitive team depends on sound decisions across management, coaching and recruitment.
For now, there is no confirmed buyer and no official completion date. The reported assessment points to an advanced but unfinished process, with financial strength, funding transparency and administrative competence all under examination. Any prediction about when Al-Ittihad will announce a new owner should therefore remain cautious: the transfer could move forward once the reviews are approved, but the timeline may stretch toward the end of 2027.
Until an official announcement is made, supporters will be watching for updates on the investor evaluations and the next steps in the ownership process. The key question is no longer simply who wants to acquire Al-Ittihad, but who can meet the club’s requirements and provide a stable foundation for its future in Saudi football.
