Al Ahly has decisively blocked any move for one of its brightest young talents, Mostafa Shobeir, after receiving an official loan offer from Saudi club Al-Najma.
The Egyptian giants moved quickly to reject the proposal, which would have seen the goalkeeper join the Saudi side for six months until the end of the season, citing both strategic and developmental reasons for keeping him.
Shobeir, who is currently with the Egyptian national team at the Africa Cup of Nations, has emerged as a key figure for Al Ahly’s future between the posts.
Sources within the club described him as the most important backup to first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy and a cornerstone for the club’s long-term plans.
With Al Ahly preparing for a demanding second half of the season – featuring critical Egyptian Premier League matches and CAF Champions League ties – the management believes releasing Shobeir now could leave the squad vulnerable, especially in the event of an injury to El-Shenawy.
The club recalls a similar scenario in 2023 when El-Shenawy was sidelined before the CAF Champions League final against Wydad, and Shobeir was forced to step into the spotlight, a defining moment that underscored his potential.
Another factor in the decision was the financial ambiguity of Al-Najma’s offer. The Saudi club did not specify any compensation for the loan, leading Al Ahly to interpret the bid as an attempt to acquire Shobeir for free. This prompted an immediate rejection and official notification to Al-Najma.
Al Ahly is also wary of the competitive environment at Al-Najma. The Saudi team sits at the bottom of the Saudi Pro League with only two points and 25 goals conceded.
The Egyptian giants fear that sending Shobeir to a struggling side could hinder his development and potentially damage his confidence, effectively “burning” a promising talent by placing him in a high-risk situation.
