Saudi futsal is making waves in the European market, mirroring its impact in football. While Al-Nasr and Portugal’s Sporting CP negotiate Pany Varela’s transfer, it is confirmed that Al-Ula is finalizing deals for Douglas Junior and Alex Viana with Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty. The Medina-based team will soon secure the Kazakh-Brazilian closer and the Brazilian winger.
Al-Ula recently appointed Mario Silva as their coach. Silva, dismissed by Benfica in July, has signed a lucrative two-year contract, making him one of the highest-paid coaches globally. Last season, Al-Ula finished third in their group and missed the Saudi League quarter-finals, won by Ettifaq Club over Al Nassr. Under coach Ziad Abdul Rahman Al Suhaibani, they offered Douglas Junior a two-year contract, which he accepted.
At 35, Douglas will end his eleven-season stint with Kairat Almaty, which, after Higuita’s move to FC Semey alongside Ferrao (Barça), is losing its two mainstays. Douglas nearly left Kairat in 2018 for Spain, with Barça agreeing to a €300,000 transfer fee, but a cruciate ligament injury halted the move. Negotiations for Al-Ula are led by Gabriel Napoli (Five Company), and the team will also sign Alex Viana for around €150,000. Viana, who arrived last season from Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad at Marlon Velasco’s request, also had offers from Kuwait.
After losing the league to FC Semey for the first time in 20 years, Kairat Almaty is restructuring, signing Julio Zanotto (Norilsk, Russia) and eyeing defender Lucas Otanha (Cascavel, Brazil) and goalkeeper Luan Muller (Palma Futsal) as replacements for Higuita.