Perhaps missing out on him was a blessing in disguise...?
Luis Figo is poised to join Al Ittihad for an undisclosed fee from Inter Milan, according to the Saudi Arabian club's team manager.
"It's official now," said Hamad Al Sanie. "Figo will sign on Friday or Saturday and he'll arrive in Jeddah on 5 January when he'll join the team."
The 34-year-old former Portugal winger will sign a 17-month contract.
Al Ittihad are historically one of the most successful Saudi teams and are based in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
Al Sanie added: "We chose Figo because he's a big star and the coach asked us to look for a midfielder and, after we suggested Figo, he welcomed the idea."
Figo retired from internationals after the World Cup third-place play-off with Germany in July - in which he earned a record 127th cap for Portugal.
Before signing for Inter in 2005, Figo played for Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Luis Figo is poised to join Al Ittihad for an undisclosed fee from Inter Milan, according to the Saudi Arabian club's team manager.
"It's official now," said Hamad Al Sanie. "Figo will sign on Friday or Saturday and he'll arrive in Jeddah on 5 January when he'll join the team."
The 34-year-old former Portugal winger will sign a 17-month contract.
Al Ittihad are historically one of the most successful Saudi teams and are based in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
Al Sanie added: "We chose Figo because he's a big star and the coach asked us to look for a midfielder and, after we suggested Figo, he welcomed the idea."
Figo retired from internationals after the World Cup third-place play-off with Germany in July - in which he earned a record 127th cap for Portugal.
Before signing for Inter in 2005, Figo played for Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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