Al Ahly agree 2030 extension for Imam Ashour as foreign duo face summer exits

Al Ahly have agreed a contract extension with Imam Ashour until 2030 while negotiating the departures of Tunisia winger Mohamed Dhaoui and Morocco defender Achraf Dari.

The Egyptian club are restructuring their squad during the current summer transfer window and have identified the futures of several players as a priority. At the same time, they are seeking to protect one of the key figures in their plans from interest and offers from overseas clubs.

According to information published by Africa Foot, Al Ahly are working towards amicable agreements with Dhaoui, who is also known as “Cristo”, and Dari to bring their contracts to an end. The club want both players to be removed permanently from the first-team squad list before the summer transfer window closes.

The move is part of a wider plan to reshape the squad ahead of the new season and create room for further additions.

Dhaoui joined Al Ahly in January 2023 from Tunisian club Etoile Sportive du Sahel after attracting attention for his performances with his former side. He also spent a period on loan with CS Sfaxien.

The 22-year-old winger has made 19 appearances for Al Ahly in all competitions, scoring once and providing two assists. However, he has been unable to establish himself as a regular member of the starting line-up.

Dari arrived at Al Ahly from French club Brest after previously enjoying successful spells with Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco and the French side.

The 27-year-old defender has played 27 matches for Al Ahly without scoring. Although he has featured in a number of games, he has not secured a permanent place in the starting line-up, making his departure one of the strongest possibilities under consideration during the current transfer window.

While the club are preparing to move on from the two foreign players, Al Ahly have made a firm decision over Ashour’s future following several weeks of reported interest and offers for the midfielder.

Africa Foot reported that the club had categorically rejected the possibility of selling the Egypt international, viewing him as one of the foundations of the team’s project for the next stage.

Sources cited by the website said Al Ahly had reached a final agreement with Ashour and his agent to extend the player’s contract through to 2030. The new terms also include a significant increase in his salary in recognition of his importance to the squad.

The agreement underlines Al Ahly’s determination to retain Ashour and make him one of the central figures in the team’s future leadership. The club’s objective is to build a squad capable of competing for every available trophy in the coming years, with Ashour regarded as an important part of that ambition.