Konyaspor have denied making an approach for Egypt international and Zamalek left-back Ahmed Fatouh, while confirming they made three unsuccessful offers to sign Al Ahly midfielder Imam Ashour.
The Turkish club’s head of contracts and board member Ali Kamjoz said Konyaspor had not opened negotiations for Fatouh despite claims from the player’s agent that an official offer had been received.
Kamjoz made the comments in an interview with Winwin ahead of Konyaspor’s Turkish league meeting with Trabzonspor next Saturday.
The fixture is expected to attract particular attention in Egypt because it will feature Konyaspor forward Mostafa Mohamed against Trabzonspor star Mohamed Salah.
Both Egypt internationals moved to the Turkish league during the summer transfer window, setting up a meeting between two of the country’s most prominent attacking players.
Kamjoz explained that Konyaspor’s recruitment of Mostafa Mohamed came after the club established a relationship with Nantes during another transfer.
“We built good relations with Nantes during the transfer of Chidozie Awaziem to our team. We contacted Adam Watani, Mostafa’s agent, and conveyed our interest in the player. After that, we reached an agreement with the club and the player and successfully completed the deal.”
The Konyaspor official said the club had followed Mostafa Mohamed since his time at Galatasaray and believed his ability in front of goal would strengthen the team.
“We know Mustafa well from his time playing for Galatasaray, and we know that his ability to finish attacks inside the penalty area is very high, and we believe that this will be a strong addition for us.”
Konyaspor prepare for Salah
Kamjoz also discussed the upcoming meeting with Trabzonspor and the challenge posed by Salah.
He described the former Liverpool forward as a player of exceptional quality and said Konyaspor’s coaching staff would prepare specifically for him.
“Salah is a world-renowned player with very high quality, and our coach will take the necessary precautions and measures to deal with him. As for Mostafa, he will contribute to our team’s success by converting the opportunities created for him by his teammates into goals, and I hope that we will be the winners in this confrontation.”
Kamjoz also believes Salah’s presence in Turkish football could have an impact beyond the pitch.
“Salah’s transfer is not just a football player deal, but I believe it will strengthen the bridges between the two friendly and brotherly peoples of Egypt and Turkey, and will contribute to increasing the viewership of the Turkish league.”
Konyaspor deny Fatouh negotiations
Asked about reports linking Konyaspor with Fatouh, Kamjoz was clear that the club had not made an offer or held talks with the Zamalek defender.
The reports had followed comments from Fatouh’s agent claiming that the Egyptian had received an official proposal from the Turkish club.
Kamjoz rejected that suggestion, while leaving open the possibility that Konyaspor could examine players from the Egyptian league in future transfer windows.
“We have not made any move or negotiations to sign Ahmed Fatouh, but we will continue to follow the Egyptian league and some players during the upcoming transfer windows. We cannot know what will happen in the future, we will live and see together, God willing.”
The statement means Konyaspor currently have no agreement or active negotiations with Fatouh, although the club intends to continue monitoring the Egyptian competition.
Three bids made for Imam Ashour
Konyaspor did, however, make a significant effort to sign another Egyptian player.
Kamjoz confirmed that the club submitted three formal offers to Al Ahly for Imam Ashour but ultimately accepted the Egyptian champions’ decision not to sell the midfielder.
He revealed that Konyaspor’s final proposal was worth $4.5m, with the Turkish club offering to spread the payment across three instalments.
“We have already submitted 3 official offers, but Al Ahly’s management informed us of their decision not to sell the player, and we respected their decision. Our last offer to Al Ahly was $4.5 million, and we proposed paying the amount in 3 installments.”
Konyaspor also clarified whether it had attempted to contact Ashour directly during the negotiations.
Kamjoz said the club understood Adam Vatani to be Ashour’s agent but did not communicate directly with the player.
“What we knew for sure was that Adam Vatani was Imam Ashour’s agent, but there was no direct contact with the player himself, and at the moment, we are not thinking of returning in the future to try to sign him.”
Konyaspor have therefore closed the door, for now, on a renewed attempt to sign Ashour, while continuing to monitor the Egyptian league for potential future targets.
Their immediate focus, however, will be on the Turkish league encounter with Trabzonspor, where Mostafa Mohamed will face Salah in one of the most anticipated Egyptian clashes in the competition.
