Aliou Dieng’s potential move to Spanish side Valencia has been delayed, according to his agent Khaled Maghrabi, due to Al Ahly coach Jess Torop’s insistence on keeping the midfielder at the club.
Maghrabi also indicated that the door remains open for Dieng to renew his contract with the Egyptian giants.
Dieng’s current deal with Al Ahly expires at the end of the season, and no agreement on an extension has yet been reached.
Speaking to ON Sport, Maghrabi explained, “Valencia’s official offer reached Al Ahly around four days before the match against Young Africans. Dieng informed Coach Torop about the offer, but Torop refused, saying that Dieng is one of the team’s key players. When he learned it was Valencia, he asked to postpone discussions until after the Young Africans match. Aliou is still with the team for now.”
Maghrabi added that talks over renewing Dieng’s contract began in late November.
“Walid Salah El-Din spoke to me on November 25 about extending Dieng’s contract. At the time, the focus was on the Club World Cup, following Dieng’s return from loan. After the holiday, we discussed the offers with Al Ahly.”
He recalled meetings with club officials Osama Helal and Mohamed Youssef, who rejected offers from Saudi Arabia.
“Mohamed Youssef spoke about renewing verbally, but there was no official commitment. Things weren’t clear, especially since Dieng was not playing with Ribeiro, and until November 25, no one had formally approached me.”
Maghrabi stressed that Al Ahly wanted to retain Dieng.
“Walid Salah El-Din spoke with the player and told me the club wanted him to stay. Aliou was open to continuing, and the salary increase we requested was modest, slightly above his current wage. I proposed a figure below the offers we had received, but the club felt it was too high and asked for a compromise.”
The agent also revealed efforts to finalize the contract during international breaks.
“I spoke with Walid during the Egypt-Nigeria match and further reduced the amount. He said he would consult the officials but never responded. Earlier, during the Africa Cup of Nations, we reached an agreement through Sayed Abdel-Hafiz, but the player was still involved in the tournament before facing Tunisia.”
Maghrabi confirmed that European interest, particularly from Valencia, takes priority.
“We respect Coach Torop’s wish to keep Aliou because of the CAF Champions League. The door to renewing with Al Ahly is open, but if a European opportunity arises, it will come first. We are not considering local offers from other clubs.”
He added that while there were verbal inquiries from some Egyptian businessmen about Dieng moving to rival clubs, no discussions were entertained.
“Aliou is an Al Ahly fan. He would never join another club in Egypt. His relationship with Coach Torop is the strongest he’s had with any coach since joining the club. Torop has made it clear he does not want to let Dieng leave after the Young Africans match.”
