Imam Ashour contract talks with Al Ahly stall as Saudi options emerge

Imam Ashour’s future at Al Ahly remains uncertain after negotiations over a contract extension reached an impasse, with the Egypt midfielder and the Egyptian club unable to agree on financial terms.

According to exclusive information obtained by Africa Foot, Al Ahly have offered Ashour an annual salary of about 25m Egyptian pounds, worth approximately $500,000 (£390,000), along with a further 10m Egyptian pounds – around $200,000 (£156,000) – in benefits and bonuses.

That proposal has not been accepted by Ashour, who believes the package falls short of his expectations and does not properly reflect his value or importance to the team.

Ashour’s status has grown significantly since he moved to Al Ahly, and he now considers himself an important member of the squad. The midfielder’s position has caused growing frustration within the club, who are keen to retain one of their leading players but are not currently prepared to meet what they regard as high financial demands.

The discussions are continuing in a tense atmosphere, although Ashour is not thought to be rushing into a final decision over whether to extend his stay with Al Ahly.

The uncertainty has prompted his representative to examine possible opportunities in the Saudi market. The player’s profile has reportedly been presented to Al-Shabab and Al-Fayha, indicating that Ashour and his representatives are willing to consider alternatives if the renewal talks with Al Ahly ultimately fail.

However, the source said Ashour’s agent does not necessarily expect a Saudi club to make a direct payment of $10m for the player. That is the minimum fee Al Ahly have set for approval of a possible transfer to Al-Ittihad.

The situation comes as Saudi clubs have moved early in the transfer market to strengthen their squads, with many of the leading sides targeting specific positions and players according to their technical requirements.

That activity could reduce the likelihood of a Saudi club committing a large fee to sign the Egypt international, particularly if Ashour’s situation at Al Ahly remains unresolved and the market’s major recruitment priorities have already been addressed.

Despite the Saudi interest, Ashour is not currently keen on moving to either the Qatar or UAE leagues. Africa Foot reported that the midfielder is instead focused on finding an opportunity offering both a sporting project and financial terms that match his ambitions.

As a result, Saudi Arabia appears to be the most prominent overseas option available to Ashour if his negotiations with Al Ahly break down. For now, though, talks remain open and the player has yet to give final approval to a new agreement with the club.