Al-Fateh are considering abandoning their proposed move for Al-Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, while also weighing up the sale of right-back Saeed Baattiah to Al-Qadsiah in a development that could disrupt two of Al-Nassr’s summer transfer plans.
Al-Nassr had reportedly agreed to sell the Saudi Arabia international to Al-Fateh for a fee, with the deal also expected to include the arrival of Saudi goalkeeper Abdulhadi Al-Alwan and Baattiah moving in the opposite direction.
However, negotiations have slowed significantly in recent hours, according to Saudi newspaper Al Jazirah, a development that has angered Al-Fateh.
The club is now considering whether to withdraw from the agreement for Al-Aqidi and instead sign a foreign goalkeeper before the current summer transfer window closes.
Such a decision would be a major setback for Al-Nassr. The club have already decided against renewing Al-Aqidi’s contract, which expires at the end of next season, leaving them at risk of losing him for nothing in a year’s time.
Al-Fateh could also approve Baattiah’s transfer to Al-Qadsiah rather than include him in the proposed deal for Al-Aqidi if the goalkeeper’s move is eventually abandoned.
That would create another problem for Al-Nassr, who are seeking to recruit a new right-back during the current summer window.
Further clarity over the future of the transfer is expected in the coming hours. Al-Aqidi is keen to secure more playing time next season after finding it difficult to establish himself as a regular starter at Al-Nassr.
The 26-year-old came through Al-Nassr’s academy and was promoted to the first team in 2019. He was unable to secure a consistent place in the starting XI, however, and joined Al-Tai on loan in 2022 before spending time with Al-Fateh on loan in 2025.
Al-Aqidi began last season as Al-Nassr’s first-choice goalkeeper but lost his position after making a number of mistakes midway through the campaign. His errors in matches against Al-Qadsiah and Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League were among the incidents that contributed to his return to the substitutes’ bench.
The goalkeeper also lost his place in the Saudi Arabia squad following mistakes in a friendly against Egypt in March. Veteran goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais subsequently took over as Saudi Arabia’s first choice and is expected to guard the goal for the national team at the 2026 World Cup.
The uncertainty surrounding Al-Aqidi’s proposed move means Al-Fateh may now look elsewhere for a goalkeeper, while Al-Nassr could be forced to reassess both their goalkeeping plans and their pursuit of a new right-back before the transfer deadline.
