External press reports have revealed that Saudi club Al-Ittihad is close to finalizing a deal with one of the midfielders from Europe during the current summer transfer window.
The name of Saudi club Al-Ittihad had been linked with signing Marwan Attia and Emam Ashour, the duo from Al-Ahly club, during the current summer, as they search for reinforcements in the team's midfield.
Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya reported that Al-Ittihad club has strongly approached signing Leonardo Barreiro, the Portuguese Benfica midfielder, during the current summer transfer window.
If Al-Ittihad succeeds in signing Leonardo Barreiro, it is likely that Marwan Attia or Emam Ashour, or both, will be out of the Saudi team's calculations, especially since the Luxembourg international player is adept at playing in all midfield positions, whether defensive or offensive.
The report clarified that Al-Ittihad club's management is currently in advanced negotiations with their counterparts at Benfica for a deal worth 15 million euros, to be scheduled flexibly, and the path of the deal will be determined in the coming days.
Al-Riyadiya added: "If the deal is completed, the international midfielder is expected to sign a contract with the Saudi team extending for the next four seasons."
Barreiro, who is 26 years old, is one of his country's most prominent players in recent years, and began his career at the Racing Union academy, then moved to the youth categories at German Mainz in 2016.
Leonardo was promoted to Mainz's first team in 2019, and defended their colors for five seasons, in which he played 141 matches in the German league, scoring 11 goals during them, before moving in the summer of 2024 to Portuguese Benfica in a free transfer after the end of his contract.
Leonardo Barreiro participated in 58 official matches in various competitions with Benfica club, scoring 6 goals and assisting the same number, and contributed to the team's crowning in the Portuguese league, and also participated in the UEFA Champions League and the 2025 Club World Cup.
