El-Ittihad in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, wanted to sign Theate from Rennes for a €20 million transfer fee. Theate turned down the offer because he didn't want to be far from his family in Belgium.

Arthur Theate was very close to joining Al-Ittihad at the beginning of July, but the transfer failed.

Arthur Theate was very close to leaving Rennais this summer due to strong interest from Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Although Rennais had agreed to the transfer, the deal fell through at the last minute.

Arthur Theate passed medical examinations and was supposed to sign a contract with Al Ittihad. Problems at Rennes caused the transfer to fail.