Al Ahly steps up efforts to seal winter transfer deals

Al Ahly’s football management has set out a focused plan to boost their squad in the upcoming winter transfer window.

The club’s board, led by Mahmoud El Khatib and planning chief Mokhtar Mokhtar, agreed to target four key positions: center-back, left-back, defensive midfielder, and striker.

A club source told Kooora, “There’s a consensus to bring in a center-forward, one senior player and another who’ll be registered in the youth team or is Palestinian and can be treated as a local.”

Much of Ahly’s transfer work depends on outgoing players, especially Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, who refuses to renew his contract. If Dieng leaves in January, the club will sign a new midfielder. The same source added, “We face a big challenge in moving on players we’ve agreed to release, not just in signing foreigners.” There’s a preliminary agreement for departures including Dieng, Moroccan Ashraf Dari, and Slovenian striker Nejr Gradisar.

To manage departures, El Khatib and board member Sayed Abdelhafiz decided to form a committee to market these players to avoid financial losses. Work will begin after the Egyptian Super Cup in the UAE.

Ahly’s first training in Al Ain saw the return of several previously injured players, boosting spirits ahead of their big match. Coach Jess Thorup led a video session, analyzing the team’s rival and outlining tactical plans as the squad prepares for a competitive winter.