Konyaspor target Olivier Ntcham as alternative for Al Ahly star Emam Ashour

Konyaspor have identified Olivier Ntcham as a potential alternative should their efforts to sign Al Ahly and Egypt international midfielder Emam Ashour fail.

The Turkish outfit have made strengthening their midfield one of their priorities ahead of the new season and have already submitted an offer worth $4.25 million for Ashour.

However, while negotiations over the Egyptian midfielder continue, the Turkish club are also preparing for the possibility that a deal cannot be reached.

According to reports, Konyaspor have made significant progress in talks to sign Cameroonian midfielder Olivier Ntcham from fellow Turkish club Samsunspor.

The 30-year-old has reportedly emerged as the strongest alternative to Ashour, with Konyaspor understood to be close to reaching a final agreement over his transfer.

The club’s interest in Ntcham highlights their determination to reinforce the midfield regardless of how negotiations for Ashour develop.

Konyaspor’s preferred target remains the Al Ahly star, however, and the Turkish club are understood to have made a final offer of $4.25 million in an attempt to convince the Egyptian giants to sanction his departure.

Ashour has established himself as an important player for Al Ahly and the Egypt national team, making him an attractive target for Konyaspor as they look to add quality and attacking ability to their squad.

The Turkish club are therefore continuing their efforts to reach an agreement with Ashour while keeping Ntcham’s transfer as a potential fallback option.

Ntcham emerges as serious alternative

Ntcham has already built considerable experience in European football and knows the Turkish league well after spending the past three seasons with Samsunspor.

During his time with the club, the Cameroon international made 94 appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing three assists.

His ability to contribute offensively from midfield has made him an appealing option for Konyaspor, particularly if the club is unable to complete the Ashour deal.

The midfielder has also represented several prominent European clubs during his career, including Marseille and Celtic, giving him valuable experience at the highest level.

Ntcham has earned 16 international caps for Cameroon and brings both technical quality and experience to the position.

Konyaspor believe those qualities could make him a reliable addition should their preferred pursuit of Ashour ultimately fail.

Ashour remains Konyaspor’s priority

Despite the progress made in negotiations with Ntcham, Konyaspor’s main objective remains signing Ashour.

The Turkish side reportedly see the Egyptian midfielder as their preferred reinforcement and have already demonstrated their commitment by submitting a $4.25 million proposal.

Ashour’s technical ability, energy and attacking contribution have made him one of Al Ahly’s most prominent midfielders, and Konyaspor are keen to bring those qualities to Turkey.

However, the club do not want to be left without an alternative if the negotiations collapse.

That explains their simultaneous pursuit of Ntcham, with the Cameroonian now positioned as the player most likely to arrive if an agreement for Ashour cannot be reached.

The final decision could therefore depend heavily on the outcome of talks between Konyaspor and Al Ahly.

If the Egyptian club accepts the Turkish offer and the player agrees to the move, Konyaspor are expected to focus entirely on completing Ashour’s transfer.

If negotiations fail, the club could quickly turn to Ntcham and attempt to finalise the agreement that has already made significant progress.

For now, Ashour remains Konyaspor’s first choice, but the club have ensured they have a strong alternative ready should their preferred transfer target prove impossible to secure.