The Saudi football landscape was hit with an unexpected twist when it was revealed that Al-Nassr holds contractual leverage in the escalating dispute between Al-Fateh and Al-Ahli over star striker Firas Al-Buraikan. The sudden involvement of Al-Nassr, despite not being part of the direct negotiations, has stirred debate across the sporting community and cast new light on the complexity of player transfers in the Saudi Pro League.

The Transfer Everyone Was Talking About

This summer, Al-Ahli has been aggressively seeking to strengthen its attacking lineup in preparation for the upcoming season of the Roshn Saudi League. At the top of their wishlist was Al-Fateh’s leading striker, Firas Al-Buraikan—a player whose consistent performances, goal-scoring instinct, and tactical versatility have made him a hot commodity in the domestic football market.

Negotiations between Al-Ahli and Al-Fateh reportedly began weeks ago, with Al-Ahli confident of securing the signature of the player. However, as discussions progressed, the transfer hit unexpected delays and resistance from Al-Fateh's management, who appeared hesitant to finalize the deal.

Then came the bombshell: Al-Nassr, Al-Buraikan’s former club, was still in the picture.

The Clause That Changed the Equation

According to multiple credible reports, when Al-Nassr sold Firas Al-Buraikan to Al-Fateh in 2021, they included a strategic “resale clause” in the contract. This clause allegedly gives Al-Nassr one or more of the following rights:

• Right of first refusal on any future offers for the player.
  
• Percentage share of any future transfer fee (commonly 10–30% in resale clauses).
  
• Veto power if the purchasing club is deemed a direct rival or competitor.
  

This clause now positions Al-Nassr as a silent stakeholder in Al-Buraikan’s future. While the full details of the clause are not publicly confirmed, the mere existence of such an agreement introduces legal and strategic complexities into what seemed to be a straightforward transaction.

Strategic Moves or Power Play?

For Al-Nassr, invoking this clause could serve multiple purposes. From a purely business standpoint, it could provide financial benefit through a resale percentage. On the competitive side, it could allow Al-Nassr to prevent a key player from joining a title contender like Al-Ahli, thereby weakening a rival's chances in the league.

This move reflects a growing trend among top-tier Saudi clubs to adopt European-style contract structures, emphasizing long-term planning, asset management, and competitive foresight.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Legal analysts believe that such clauses are perfectly valid under FIFA regulations, provided they don’t violate third-party ownership rules. However, the ethical dimension remains controversial. Critics argue that these “hidden clauses” give disproportionate power to selling clubs and reduce the autonomy of the player and the buying club in finalizing deals.

It also raises questions about contract transparency and whether fans, agents, and even clubs themselves should have clearer insights into the full legal framework surrounding player movements.

Reactions from the Football Community

The news of Al-Nassr’s clause has gone viral across social media and sports panels. While many Al-Nassr fans hailed the club's smart foresight, fans of Al-Ahli expressed frustration at what they perceive as interference.

Pundits and former players weighed in, with some calling for the Saudi Football Federation to issue clearer guidelines on transfer clauses and resale conditions to avoid similar disputes in the future.

What’s Next for Al-Buraikan?

As of now, the fate of Firas Al-Buraikan remains uncertain. Al-Ahli has not withdrawn from the deal, but they may now need to either:

• Negotiate directly with Al-Nassr to satisfy the resale terms.
  
• Increase their offer to compensate all involved parties.
  
• Redirect their attention to another striker on the market.
  

Meanwhile, Al-Fateh must also weigh the benefits of the sale against potential conflict with Al-Nassr, especially if the clause leads to legal complications.

A Sign of a More Complex Future in Saudi Football

This incident signals a maturing football ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, where contracts, legal frameworks, and strategic planning are becoming as important as performance on the pitch. With clubs becoming more financially savvy and legally prepared, we can expect more of such multi-club dynamics in future transfer windows.

And for fans, it’s a reminder that in modern football, what happens off the field can be just as dramatic—and decisive—as what happens on it.

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Translated from:
 النصر يفاجئ الشارع الرياضي في أزمة الفتح والأهلي .. "بند مثير في عقد البريكان"