The management of Al-Ittihad Club has adopted a clear plan to navigate the current winter transfer market, following a technical vision led by sporting director Ramon Planes, with no intention of making radical changes.

According to press reports, Planes does not intend to make significant deals during the winter transfer window, especially regarding foreign players, preferring to maintain stability until the end of the season.

The club is focusing on making broader changes during the upcoming summer transfer window, as the contracts of several foreign professionals within the team approach their end.

The plan also includes a limited possibility of signing a homegrown striker to serve as a replacement for Serbian defender Smitis, who joined at the start of the season from Belgian club Anderlecht for around 20 million euros on a four-year contract.

Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Abdulrahman Al-Aboud and Saleh Al-Shehri will remain with Al-Ittihad until the end of the current season.

The sources indicated that Al-Aboud's recent exclusion was due to disciplinary reasons, but the matter is on its way to being resolved within the club's corridors.

This decision comes despite the wishes of the French coach Hervé Renard, who has urged the Saudi national team players to get enough playing time, even if it means leaving their clubs.