Barcelona reserve team captain’s transfer to Saudi Arabia to be completed by Friday – report | OneFootball

It is only a matter of before Unai Hernandez completes his move to Saudi Arabia, in what could be the most significant move of the winter transfer window at Barcelona.

The young midfielder has agreed to join Al Ittihad, where he will partner up with former Barcelona director Ramon Planes.

According to SPORT, Unai Hernandez’s move to Al Ittihad could be made official by Friday, with both clubs pretty much in agreement over the transfer.

How Al Ittihad signed Unai Hernandez

Despite all the financial firepower, signing a 20-year-old midfield prodigy in Europe who plays at one of the best clubs in the world, is not an easy task for a Saudi Arabian club.

But it was possible thanks to Planes and his desire to sign Barcelona players with the potential to become one of the world’s best.

Ramon Planes had a key role to play in Unai Hernandez’s acquisition (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

As per the report, contacts were made with Unai Hernandez long ago, with Al Ittihad making it clear that the youngster will become a first-team regular at the club, playing alongside the likes of N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Houssem Aouar.

Al Ittihad believe Unai could be an ideal fit in their 4-2-3-1 scheme. This was coupled with the fact that the Saudi Arabian giants offered him a package which was worth thrice what he is currently getting paid at Barcelona.

This was enough to convince Unai Hernandez to make the surprise switch to Saudi Arabia and if everything goes according to plan, the transfer could be made official sooner rather than later.

The negotiations are not fully done, but it is expected that Barcelona will receive a sizable transfer fee that will go a long way in helping them handle an inflated salary bill.