Otávio Set to Join Al Qadsiah from Al Nassr on Two-Year Deal

Otávio, a Portuguese midfielder, is close to joining Al Qadsiah from Al Nassr. The Saudi club has agreed on his transfer, and his contract will last until June 2026, as he is currently under contract until that date and is not in Al Nassr’s pre-season plans. The move is almost done, with only a few final steps left before it is officially announced.

WHAT HAPPENED

Otávio Monteiro is set to join Al Qadsiah from Al Nassr in the current summer transfer window. Reports say that Al Qadsiah has completed all legal paperwork, and the deal is awaiting an official announcement. Otávio, once an important player for Al Nassr, fell out of favor with head coach Jorge Jesus and was left out of pre-season preparations. His move follows a personal recommendation from Al Qadsiah’s head coach, Michel Gonzalez, who sought to strengthen the squad. A previous report confirmed that Al Qadsiah have made an official bid for Otávio.

WHY IT MATTERS

Otávio played 84 matches for Al Nassr, scoring 12 goals and recording 16 assists during his time at the club. However, he became surplus to requirements when new signings like João Félix and Kingsley Coman arrived. Al Nassr decided to let him go to free up a foreign player slot. Meanwhile, Al Qadsiah, who finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League last season, want experienced and high-profile players to avoid relegation and establish themselves among the league’s top clubs. Adding Otávio shows Al Qadsiah’s intent to compete seriously. For Al Nassr, parting with the Portuguese midfielder allows them to bring in new talent as they aim to catch up with league winners Al Ittihad and improve their performance under coach Jorge Jesus.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Both teams enter the new campaign with differing ambitions. Al Qadsiah is focused on avoiding immediate relegation and consolidating their position in the Saudi Pro League after earning promotion, while Al Nassr is aiming to challenge for the league title as reigning champions Al Hilal are not in the running this season due to their involvement in the Asian Champions League. The competition promises to be fiercely contested as Al Nassr aim to close the thirteen-point gap to last year’s champions Al Ittihad and a five points gap to Al Hilal.

WHAT’S NEXT

The schedule has been announced, and Al Qadsiah will face Al Taawoun, who finished in the top six last year, in their first league match of the season. Al Qadsiah will need to quickly gel their new recruits as they aim for a stronger start to their Saudi Pro League campaign. Al Nassr, now without Otávio, will host Al Ettifaq in their own season opener. Both clubs will be eager to secure maximum points as the new league season gets underway.