Al Ittihad are navigating a turbulent opening to the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season, with inconsistent results and a frantic transfer window converging at a critical moment. Four games in, the club sit fifth with eight points, having won twice and drawn twice, but the manner of those draws tells a concerning story. A goalless stalemate at Al Fateh, where the hosts' goalkeeper was the standout performer and Ittihad struggled to convert clear chances, followed an earlier draw against Al Kholood. Sandwiched between those was a 3-2 home defeat to Al Hazm, leaving supporters with real questions about the team's cutting edge and defensive reliability.

Off the pitch, the situation is equally unsettled. Moussa Diaby's future has dominated the transfer conversation, with his proposed move to the Bundesliga collapsing and the club subsequently disciplining the French winger. Reports also emerged that the family of Ritsuo Doan blocked his proposed move to Jeddah, forcing the club to pivot. With the Saudi transfer window closing on September 6, Ittihad are pushing hard to sign a wide attacker, with Jamaican Leon Bailey and Belgian Johan Bakayoko identified as primary targets. Talks over a domestic deal and interest in Juventus outcast Edon Zhegrova add further names to a busy list.

The pressure is building. Al Nassr, unbeaten and top of the table with 12 points from four games, visit King Abdullah Sports City on September 5. That fixture arrives at exactly the wrong time for a side still searching for cohesion and reinforcements.