Officials at Al-Ittihad Saudi Club are facing a complex crisis regarding the future of Serbian defender Karlo Simic, amid the possibility of his departure from the team during the current winter transfer window, which would create challenges in strengthening the squad with new foreign players.

According to the Saudi newspaper "Al-Riyadiyah," Al-Ittihad's management is facing difficulties in marketing Simic and signing a foreign striker under the age limit due to FIFA regulations that prohibit a player from participating with three different clubs in a single season.

The Serbian defender had played this season with the Belgian club Anderlecht before transferring to Al-Ittihad, which limits the possibility of him leaving and joining a third club in the same season, complicating the club's options during the current transfer window.

The newspaper pointed out that Al-Ittihad's management is considering several solutions to overcome the crisis, the most prominent of which are loaning Simic or transferring him to a league that starts its season in January if a suitable offer is received, or transferring him to a club where he would train without participating in official matches. Additionally, there is the option of signing a foreign striker who would be registered to participate only in the AFC Champions League Elite if the Serbian defender cannot be transferred during the winter transfer window.