GAIS have hardened their position in talks over Ibrahim Diabaté, dealing a major setback to Al Ahly’s efforts to sign the Ivorian striker.
Negotiations between the Egyptian giants and the Swedish club have dragged on for several weeks without agreement, and the situation has now become significantly more complex for the Cairo-based side.
GAIS, who own the player, have reacted firmly after Al Ahly failed to respect the initial deadline set to finalise the transfer.
According to earlier reports, the Swedish club responded by revising its financial expectations upward.
GAIS initially valued the deal at $1.6 million but have now raised their asking price to $3 million.
That sharp increase reflects both the player’s form and the club’s determination to control the outcome of the negotiations.
Al Ahly now face a clear choice. The Egyptian champions must meet GAIS’s new demands if they want to secure the services of the Allsvenskan’s leading scorer this season.
Diabaté has delivered 18 goals in the Swedish top flight, placing him at the top of the scoring charts and attracting growing interest across Europe and beyond.
The pressure continues to mount on Al Ahly as coach Jens Thorup pushes for attacking reinforcements ahead of the league’s return.
Thorup has identified the need for greater firepower as a priority, and Diabaté fits the profile of a forward capable of making an immediate impact. However, the financial gap now threatens to derail the deal entirely.
Competition further complicates matters. Celtic Glasgow continue to monitor Diabaté’s situation closely, while several clubs from the Gulf have also expressed interest.
Their involvement strengthens GAIS’s negotiating position and increases the likelihood of a bidding contest if Al Ahly hesitate.
GAIS remain under no obligation to sell. Diabaté holds a contract with the Swedish club until December 2028, giving them full control over his future.
That long-term deal allows GAIS to demand a fee they believe reflects both his current output and his potential resale value.
Despite a market valuation of €1.5 million listed by Transfermarkt, GAIS clearly view the striker as a premium asset.
His performances this season have justified that stance and placed Al Ahly under growing pressure to act decisively.
As talks stall and rival interest intensifies, the coming days will prove decisive. Al Ahly must now decide whether to meet GAIS’s tougher conditions or risk losing one of their top attacking targets to competing suitors.
