Monsef Bakrar set to begin Al Ahly chapter ahead of Barcelona clash

Algerian forward Monsef Bakrar has joined Al Ahly’s pre-season training camp in Spain, ending the uncertainty over his availability after the club confirmed his arrival on Sunday.

Bakrar linked up with the squad after completing the period of rest granted to him by the coaching staff. Al Ahly announced the development in an official statement, confirming that the club’s new signing had travelled to Spain to continue preparations for the new season.

“Algerian Monsef Bakrar will join the external training camp currently being held in Spain this evening. This comes after the end of the rest period granted to the player by the technical staff as part of preparations for the new season,” the club said.

The 24-year-old completed his move to Al Ahly from Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb as part of the Egyptian side’s recruitment plans for the campaign ahead. He has signed a three-year contract with Al Ahly.

The transfer is worth €3m, with a further €500,000 available in incentives and bonuses linked to the terms agreed between Al Ahly and Dinamo Zagreb.

Al Ahly’s coaching staff hope Bakrar can become an important addition to the squad as the club prepares to compete across several fronts during the new season. His arrival in Spain allows him to resume work with his new team as the pre-season programme moves towards its conclusion.

The Cairo-based club will finish its overseas camp with a high-profile meeting against Barcelona. The fixture is regarded as one of the most significant matches of Al Ahly’s preparations before the competitive campaign begins.

Al Ahly will face Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on 19 August in the 61st edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy.

The match is expected to provide a demanding test for Al Ahly, who are seeking to make the greatest possible use of their time in Spain. The camp is also being used to prepare the club’s new signings and integrate them into the squad ahead of the start of the season.

Bakrar’s inclusion in the group means Al Ahly can now continue that work with the player present, following the rest period that delayed his participation in the camp. The club’s announcement was intended to settle the situation and confirm that he remains part of the preparations for the campaign.

His move from Dinamo Zagreb is one of the deals Al Ahly have completed while strengthening their squad for the new season. The club will now assess Bakrar alongside the rest of the team during the remainder of the Spanish camp, with the Barcelona fixture providing the headline event before the competitive schedule begins.

The meeting with Barcelona will also give Al Ahly an opportunity to measure their progress against leading European opposition. For the Egyptian club, it represents both the final major test of their pre-season programme and a chance to give their latest recruits further experience with the team.