Achraf Dari faces Al Ahly exit decision as Wydad move hinges on pay-off

Achraf Dari’s proposed return to Wydad has been complicated by a financial dispute with Al Ahly, after the Morocco international refused to give up the remaining money owed to him under his contract.

The defender met Al Ahly officials on Monday evening to discuss his position and future at the Egyptian club. However, talks did not resolve the issue, with Dari insisting on receiving the full value of the deal covering the two seasons still left on his contract.

Those outstanding payments are worth more than $2m, according to Moroccan website Le360 Sport.

Al Ahly have subsequently sought the view of manager Hussein Ammouta on whether Dari should remain with the club for next season. Ammouta is understood to have welcomed the possibility of keeping the centre-back, particularly because the player’s physical condition has improved and he has not suffered an injury in recent weeks.

The manager was also satisfied with Dari’s performances during his short spell with Swedish club Kalmar. That loan move helped the defender regain his competitive rhythm after a period away from regular football.

Dari joined Kalmar during the most recent winter transfer window before returning to Al Ahly once his time in the Swedish league had ended.

Although Ammouta is open to Dari staying, the player’s departure remains possible. The main obstacle is now financial, with any move away from Al Ahly expected to depend on the Moroccan accepting a reduction in the money still due to him.

According to the information circulating around the negotiations, Dari may have to waive about half of his remaining financial entitlements to end his relationship with Al Ahly and complete a transfer to his next club.

That condition is particularly significant because Dari already has an agreement with Wydad to return to the Moroccan club next season. The proposed move has therefore reached a decisive stage, with the player, Al Ahly and Wydad waiting for the financial issue to be settled.

Dari wants to secure all of the payments specified in his Al Ahly contract. At the same time, Ammouta has indicated that he would be comfortable with the defender continuing in Egypt, while Wydad are monitoring developments in the hope of bringing back their former player.

The outcome of the negotiations will determine whether Dari can return to Wydad or remains with Al Ahly for the coming campaign. Unless an agreement is reached over his outstanding salary, his insistence on receiving the full amount could ultimately lead to the defender continuing his career with the Egyptian side.