The management of Al-Ahli Saudi Club has started taking official steps to ensure the continuation of Turkish defender Merih Demiral within the team during the upcoming phase, in order to maintain technical stability under the leadership of German coach Matthias Jaissle.

Al-Ahli is working on renewing Demiral's contract, who is considered one of the key pillars of the team's defense, amid the strong desire from the management to retain the core players who contributed to the team's return to the podiums.

Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, specialized in the transfer market, revealed that the club has already begun its official negotiations with Demiral to reach a final agreement regarding the extension of his contract.

Al-Ahli officials are keen to resolve the renewal issue as quickly as possible, with a clear intention to keep the player and continue his journey in the Al-Ahli jersey in the coming years.

Demiral, who is 27 years old, joined Al-Ahli Jeddah in the summer of 2023 from Atalanta in Italy, with a contract that extends until June 2026, making him one of the prominent defensive players in the Saudi league.

The player is set to enter the free period of his contract starting January next, allowing him to negotiate and agree with any club without returning to Al-Ahli's management, which prompts the club to act early to avoid his departure for free.

So far, Demiral has played 77 matches with Al-Ahli in various competitions, scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists, and he has contributed to the team's winning of the AFC Champions League and the Saudi Super Cup in 2025, making him a vital element that the management does not wish to part with.