Fekir, Batshuayi, Abdou Diallo headline Abha’s cut-price Saudi rebuild | OneFootball

Abha Club are rebuilding on the cheap, yet have still lured former Ligue 1 names Nabil Fekir, Michy Batshuayi and Abdou Diallo. The promoted side have become one of this summer’s Saudi talking points.

L'Équipe reports that Abha have signed 18 players, including five with Ligue 1 past. Fekir, 33, and Diallo, 30, arrived on free transfers, while Batshuayi, 32, cost about €2m.

The approach contrasts with Neom SC last summer, when the PIF-owned club led by Christophe Galtier spent heavily in France. Abha cannot pursue that route.

Owned by the Saudi Ministry of Sports and placed on a June privatisation list, Abha were D2 champions last season. Based in the Asir mountains near the Yemeni border, they have accepted low turnover, losing 11 key players for no fees, including prolific Dutch striker Sylla Sow, now at Al-Ula.

After sealing Diallo in late July, president Saad al-Ahmari said the club would announce two stars to bolster their ambitions. Beyond Fekir and Batshuayi, Abha have also added former Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon, 33, and ex Paris FC winger Alimami Gory, 29.

Coach Damir Buric is tasked with bringing stability after 12 managers in five years. The league campaign opened with a 2-1 home defeat to Al-Hazem, then a King Cup exit to second-tier Al-Orobah after a 0-0 draw and 2-3 on penalties.

Next up is a trip to the reigning Asian champions, Al-Ahli, on Saturday at 20:00, a test with little margin for error.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”