Al-Shorta Club continues its active moves in the current winter transfer market, as part of its serious efforts to strengthen the team’s ranks and support its ambitions to compete strongly for the Iraqi Stars League title during the remaining matches of the current season.

The Qithara team currently occupies third place on the overall standings with 25 points, prompting the management to intensify its efforts to conclude quality deals capable of making a difference, especially given the close points between the leading teams and Al-Shorta’s pursuit to regain its natural position at the top of the league.

Private sources revealed that Al-Shorta’s management has made significant progress in its negotiations with Syrian national team star Mohammad Al-Salakhdi to sign him for the team during the current period, with negotiations being conducted directly with the player and his agent to reach a final agreement that paves the way for officially completing the deal.

The sources added that Al-Salakhdi is under contract with Swedish club Varnamo until December 2027, but the player seeks to mutually terminate his contract in order to move to Al-Shorta, especially after his team was relegated from the Swedish Premier League to the first division, which pushed him to reassess his future and look for a more ambitious new experience.

The sources pointed out that Al-Qithara management heavily relies on the role of Syrian player Mahmoud Al-Mawas in completing the deal, as he played alongside Al-Salakhdi in the Arab Cup Qatar 2025, gave him a clear picture of the atmosphere inside the team, and advised him to join Al-Shorta due to the club’s stability and the great ambitions it seeks to achieve this season.

The sources also clarified that Al-Shorta’s coach, Moamen Suleiman, expressed great admiration for Al-Salakhdi’s technical capabilities after following him with the Syrian national team in the Arab Cup, as the technical staff is looking for professionals capable of quickly adapting to the team’s system, and sees the Syrian player as an ideal option, especially with the presence of his compatriots Mahmoud Al-Mawas and Fahd Al-Youssef, which will help facilitate his integration within the team.

If the deal is completed, signing Mohammad Al-Salakhdi will be an important addition to Al-Shorta’s lineup, enhancing its offensive and technical options and giving it a strong boost in the race for the title, amid the hopes of Qithara fans to see their team at the top by the end of the season.