Al-Ittihad Takeover Race Intensifies as Three Alliances Pursue Saudi Club
A high-stakes contest is developing over the future ownership of Al-Ittihad, with three investment alliances reportedly competing to take control of one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent football clubs. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reviewing several proposals for the Jeddah side, known to supporters as “the Dean,” as the club’s potential sale moves through a process expected to continue until the end of next year.
The outcome could shape more than Al-Ittihad’s boardroom. A new owner may influence the club’s recruitment strategy, commercial growth, infrastructure and ambitions in domestic and continental competitions. For supporters, the central question is not only who will take the helm, but what that ownership group intends to build once it gets there.
Three Alliances in the Running
Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah has identified three groups seeking to acquire the Jeddah club. Each brings a different mix of local connections, international investment experience and proposed leadership, making the competition about more than the size of a bid.
Glazer family and Wael Jamjoum
The first reported alliance pairs the American Glazer family with Saudi businessman Wael Jamjoum. The Glazers are known internationally for their involvement in major sporting investments, while Jamjoum brings local business ties. Their reported interest places them among the leading contenders in a process that could attract close attention from football audiences in Saudi Arabia and abroad.
Any successful bid would still need to demonstrate how the group plans to support Al-Ittihad’s sporting objectives while building a sustainable business around the club. In modern football, ownership proposals are increasingly assessed not just on immediate spending power, but also on governance, long-term funding and the ability to grow revenue.
Prince Saad bin Abdullah and Joshua Harris
A second American-Saudi partnership brings together Prince Saad bin Abdullah and American businessman Joshua Harris. Harris is associated with ownership interests in clubs in the United States and England, giving this alliance experience in international sports operations.
According to the report, the group has considered appointing Hamad Al-Sunai as chief executive if it completes the takeover. Al-Sunai, a former president of Al-Ittihad, would offer familiarity with the club and its institutional history. That experience could prove useful during a transition, particularly if new owners seek to balance fresh investment with the expectations of a passionate fan base.
Sidra Capital and BlueFive Capital
The third alliance combines Sidra Capital and BlueFive Capital. It is led by Abdulrahman and Sultan, sons of Khalid bin Mahfouz, a former honorary member of Al-Ittihad. The group’s connection to the club gives its proposal a distinct local dimension, while its investment firms point to a broader financial and commercial approach.
Arriyadiyah reports that this alliance is currently closest to securing the deal. Its proposal is said to include the highest financial offer, alongside an investment plan that meets the relevant qualification requirements. The group is also reportedly ahead of its competitors in areas such as financial capacity, funding sources and the structure of its investment.
Why the Investment Plan Matters
A leading offer can create momentum, but the final decision is likely to depend on more than the headline price. Al-Ittihad’s next owner will inherit a club with major sporting expectations and a significant role in Saudi football. A credible plan must explain how the business will be financed, how decisions will be made and how investment will translate into lasting progress on the pitch.
The reported strength of the Sidra Capital and BlueFive Capital proposal lies partly in its strategic vision. Developing a football club involves several connected priorities: assembling a competitive squad, improving training and performance operations, strengthening the academy, expanding commercial partnerships and maintaining financial discipline. Success in one area can support the others, but only if the ownership structure is clear and consistent.
For Al-Ittihad, the challenge will be to pursue sporting success without treating investment as a short-term fix. Supporters will want to see a team capable of competing for major honours, while the club also needs the foundations to remain strong beyond any single transfer window. A well-planned takeover could help align those goals; an unclear one could create uncertainty at a sensitive moment.
What the Takeover Could Mean for Saudi Football
The sale process is unfolding as the ownership landscape around Saudi football continues to evolve. Last April, Al-Hilal became the first of the country’s “big four” clubs to leave the PIF umbrella, after 70% of its shares were transferred to Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
That move offers a useful point of comparison, though Al-Ittihad’s eventual ownership arrangement may take a different form. Each club has its own history, commercial profile and sporting needs. Still, the shift signals a broader effort to bring private investment into leading Saudi clubs and potentially give them more tailored ownership strategies.
For investors, Al-Ittihad offers the chance to take charge of a famous Jeddah institution with a large following and strong name recognition. For the league, a successful transition could demonstrate how private capital might contribute to professional management and long-term development. The wider impact will depend on the new owner’s ability to turn financial strength into better football operations and a stronger connection with supporters.
Al-Ittihad Takeover Prediction: The Front-Runner Is Not Yet the Winner
Based on the reported details, Sidra Capital and BlueFive Capital appear to have the clearest advantage, thanks to their higher offer and the strength of their investment file. That makes the alliance the current front-runner in the Al-Ittihad takeover race. However, this is a prediction based on media reporting, not confirmation that the deal is complete.
The PIF is still reviewing proposals, and the process is expected to run through the end of next year. The other two alliances remain in contention, while final approval may depend on the full terms of each bid and whether the proposed plans satisfy all qualification requirements.
Until an official announcement is made, Al-Ittihad’s future ownership remains open. The decisive factor may ultimately be which group can offer not only the strongest financial package, but also the most convincing roadmap for the club’s future. Whoever takes the helm will face a demanding task: honouring the Dean’s identity while building a modern, competitive and sustainable football institution.
