Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad have turned their attention to signing Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu after his compatriot Mubarak Wakaso’s proposed move to the club failed.

Al Ittihad will pay Serie A side Udinese $7m for Agyemang-Badu, who wants to further his career after spending six seasons in Italy.

The Asian champions have sent their Africa representative Mohammed Benyamin to open talks with Badu and his Italian club Udinese over the move.

This comes after Wakaso’s move to Ittihad failed on Wednesday after two agents claiming to have the rights to represent the player clashed leaving the Saudi side with no option than to pull out.

“The club, through me, has contacted Agyeman Badu and his agent and they both seem to have interest in the offer on the table and we will work to bring him to join Muntari as soon as possible,” Benyamin said.

However the move must be swift as Japanese midfielder Honda Keisuke has also been targeted by Al Ittihad over the same position.

The 24-year-old Ghanaian Badu has been linked with a move to England with Hull City and West Bromwich Albion all said to be interested.

Badu has spent six seasons with Udinese in the Italian top-flight and is linked with a January move away from the club.

Udinese don’t particularly want to sell the tough-tackling 24-year-old but, with only six months left on his contract, they would prefer to make a healthy profit than risk losing him on a Bossman free transfer next year.

They bought Agyemang-Badu from Ghanaian outfit Berekum for a bargain fee of around £450,000 in 2010, after the player had unsuccessful trials in England with Middlesbrough and Wolves.