Al Ittihad are building genuine momentum at the start of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season, sitting fourth with seven points from three matches under German coach Jens Weisning. A hard-fought 3-2 win over Al Hazem on August 24 kept them in the upper reaches of the table, though the transfer window is generating as much attention as results on the pitch.

The club's recruitment push is moving on several fronts with the deadline approaching. Reports indicate Al Ittihad are in advanced talks to sign a player from rivals Al Nassr in what would be a significant domestic move, while Risto Duan of Eintracht Frankfurt has emerged as a primary target to fill the gap left by Moussa Diaby's departure to Bayer Leverkusen, with a fee of around 30 million euros reported. The club has also made an inquiry about Juventus winger Edon Zhegrova, who has been left out of Luciano Spalletti's squad, and remains in the race for free agent Frank Kessie, whose move to Juventus collapsed after talks broke down.

One storyline the club appears to have closed off is a return for Karim Benzema. A prominent Saudi media figure publicly rejected the idea, and with the forward now leaving Al Hilal, the consensus around Al Ittihad is that the chapter is finished.

Striking form is a positive note: Steven Bergwijn sits joint-top of the Saudi Pro League scoring charts with three goals. The next test comes away to Al Fateh on August 29, a side sitting sixteenth with just one point, giving Weisning's team a good opportunity to strengthen their early-season position.