After being picked up by AS Roma on a free last summer, Houssem Aouar is packing his bags for a stint in the Saudi Pro League this summer.

🟡⚫️✍🏻 Houssem Aouar signed his contract as new Al Ittihad player, same happening now between AS Roma and Al Ittihad.

€12m deal, almost completed. pic.twitter.com/m7Odl0xMSf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2024

Fabrizio Romano, a tier one rated source by Football Park has reported that the Algerian has called it quits in Italy and his destination is Al Ittihad. The fee will cost the Saudi club €12 million with it deal on the verge of being completed.

Bursting onto the scene with Lyon several years ago now, Aouar has never really filled the boots with the potential he showed early on in his career. Mikel Arteta was once crying out for Arsenal to sign him and now I don’t thing he would even get a look in at the Gunners.

Coming into a club where Lorenzo Pellegrini is in your preferred position, it is hard to get game time and that was shown last year and potentially one of the reasons why Aouar is set to agree to this move. Houssem registered 25 appearances for Roma across Serie A and the UEFA Europa League last season and contributed to four goals.

Per 90 minutes domestically, he averaged 0.83 shots on target, 1.31 successful dribbles, 3.81 touches in the opposition box and 5.71 duels won. There are still glimmers of hope in his performances and Al Ittihad will be delighted with this acquisition. So too will Roma making a profit on this sale, regardless of the fee as Aouar had signed a when he was without a club.

New manager Laurent Blanc will be excited to get his hands on this tricky player and hope that Al Ittihad can challenge for the title after a disappointing season last time out.