Al Ahly hold talks with Ghazl El Mahalla over Mahmoud Salah transfer

Al Ahly officials are meeting their counterparts at Ghazl El Mahalla on Tuesday evening to finalise a deal for 18-year-old Mahmoud Salah, with the player understood to have already signed a five-year contract with the Cairo club.

Essam Serag, Al Ahly’s director of transfers, is holding discussions with Tamer Khalil, vice-president of the Ghazl El Mahalla Football Company, to settle the remaining details of the proposed move.

Salah was absent from Ghazl El Mahalla’s friendly against Sporting on Tuesday as preparations continued for his expected transfer. Ghazl El Mahalla won the match 6-0 ahead of the start of the new season.

Al Ahly’s latest offer for the player is understood to be worth 35m Egyptian pounds, in addition to a percentage of any future resale fee. A source at Ghazl El Mahalla had previously said that Al Ahly increased their bid to 30m Egyptian pounds.

However, the same source said Ghazl El Mahalla were insisting on receiving 50m Egyptian pounds before agreeing to release Salah.

The negotiations are therefore focused on bridging the gap between Al Ahly’s proposal and Ghazl El Mahalla’s valuation, while the two clubs work towards completing the transfer.

Salah made 28 appearances for Ghazl El Mahalla last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists. His performances have led to interest from Al Ahly, who are now seeking to conclude an agreement with his current club.

The teenager is currently with Egypt’s under-20 national team, coached by Wael Reyad. The squad is preparing to take part in the North African qualifiers for the under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The discussions between Al Ahly and Ghazl El Mahalla take place as both clubs prepare for the campaign ahead. For Al Ahly, securing Salah’s signature would represent a long-term investment in a young player who has already gained regular first-team experience.

Salah’s absence from Tuesday’s friendly, together with the reported signing of his contract, suggests that the transfer is moving closer to completion. The final agreement, however, remains dependent on the clubs reaching a settlement over the fee and resale clause.

The meeting between Serag and Khalil is expected to determine whether Al Ahly’s 35m Egyptian-pound offer, plus the percentage of a future sale, will be accepted or whether Ghazl El Mahalla will maintain their demand for 50m Egyptian pounds.