Al Ahly close in on Ghazl El Mahalla winger Mahmoud Salah deal

Al Ahly are nearing an agreement to sign Ghazl El Mahalla player Mahmoud Salah after the two clubs made significant progress in negotiations over the 18-year-old.

Essam Serag, Al Ahly’s director of contracts, met Tamer Khalil, vice-president of the Ghazl El Mahalla Football Company, on Tuesday evening to discuss the final details of the proposed transfer.

A source at Ghazl El Mahalla told FilGoal.com that the clubs were close to reaching an agreement on the financial terms.

“There is a convergence between the two clubs’ management over the financial compensation. The agreement between Al Ahly and Ghazl El Mahalla regarding Mahmoud Salah’s transfer is close to being completed,” the source said.

The source added that Ghazl El Mahalla had agreed to sell the player for 35m Egyptian pounds in cash, with a further 10m Egyptian pounds available in add-ons. The deal would also include a 20% sell-on clause.

However, Al Ahly are understood to have proposed a different payment structure. The source said the Cairo club wanted to pay 33m Egyptian pounds in two instalments or reduce the value of the potential add-ons by 2m Egyptian pounds.

An Al Ahly source confirmed that negotiations were still taking place but played down the accuracy of figures being reported publicly.

“We are working to complete the transfer of Mahmoud Salah from Ghazl El Mahalla. Negotiations are still ongoing and the figures being circulated in the media are largely inaccurate,” the source told FilGoal.com.

Salah was absent from Ghazl El Mahalla’s friendly against Sporting, with his omission coming as preparations continue for a possible move to Al Ahly.

Ghazl El Mahalla won that match 6-0 as they continued their build-up to the start of next season.

Al Ahly also began their preparations with a victory, beating Spanish side Badalona 3-0 in their first friendly during a training camp in Spain.

Salah made 28 appearances for Ghazl El Mahalla last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

The teenager is currently with Egypt’s under-20 squad, coached by Wail Riyad. The team are preparing to compete in the North Africa qualifiers for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

The latest discussions follow the meeting between the clubs’ representatives and suggest that the proposed transfer is now close to its final stages. The remaining issue is understood to be the precise structure of the payment and add-on arrangements, while both sides continue working towards an agreement.

The development was reported on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at 21:38.