Rising Star Akhomach Rejects $7.7 Million Saudi Offer, Stays with Villarreal

While player departures to Gulf championships have become commonplace, Akhomach’s choice stands out. The 21-year-old player preferred to stay at Villarreal, a club where he feels valued and where he has the opportunity to progress in one of the best European leagues, recalls AS.

The first offer, from Al Qadisiyah of Míchel González, was already tempting. But it was especially the second proposal, formulated by the powerful Al Hilal, that caused a stir. The Saudis offered Akhomach an annual net salary of 7.5 million euros, or a sevenfold increase in his current earnings. Villarreal, for its part, could have pocketed 25 million euros in the event of a transfer. Staggering figures that did not shake the Moroccan player.

Why refuse such a sum? Akhomach explained to his leaders that he felt ready to take on the challenges of Spanish football and that he wanted to establish himself in the long term at Villarreal. His choice echoes that of Vinícius Júnior, who had also been courted by Gulf clubs but had preferred to stay at Real Madrid.