The Saudi Professional League revealed on Thursday that four out of 18 clubs are currently not allowed to register new deals after failing to meet the requirements of the financial control regulations.

Among the four affected clubs is Al Riyadh, which is seeking to sign Mahmoud Hassan 'Trezeguet', the winger for Egypt's national team and Al Ahly, currently participating in the 2026 World Cup.

The League explained that clubs that meet the financial and procedural requirements can complete their deals normally, according to unified standards applied to all without exception.

It confirmed that the Financial Control Committee held several meetings with officials of the concerned clubs and provided the necessary guidance, but some clubs were unable to present financial plans that meet the required conditions due to the size of their obligations.

Despite Al Riyadh reaching an initial agreement with Al Ahly regarding the Trezeguet deal, negotiations are still ongoing, pending fulfillment of the financial requirements, after the former Aston Villa player expressed his desire to gain professional experience in the Saudi League next season.

According to press reports, Al Riyadh submitted an offer worth $1 million to buy Trezeguet's contract, an amount about $500,000 less than the value that Al Ahly demands to approve the player's sale.

Trezeguet topped Al Ahly's scoring charts in the Egyptian League as well as the African Champions League during the club's disappointing last season.

Trezeguet (31 years old) returned to Al Ahly last summer after 10 years since his departure to gain various European experiences, most notably at Anderlecht and Aston Villa, and scored a goal in the ongoing World Cup against New Zealand.