Al-Ahly have denied receiving an offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad Jeddah for midfielder Imam Ashour, insisting that the player is not available for transfer during the upcoming January window.
The Egyptian club’s football management told WinWin that neither Al-Ittihad nor any other team had made an official approach or informal contact to discuss signing the midfielder.
The clarification comes amid reports linking Ashour with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with speculation growing over his future at Al-Ahly ahead of the winter transfer window.
However, the club have dismissed claims that negotiations are under way, maintaining that they have received no enquiries about the possibility of releasing the player.
Al-Ahly rule out departures during current period
Al-Ahly’s football management also made clear that the club are not considering the departure of any first-team player at this stage.
The decision, according to the management, follows an earlier policy intended to protect the squad’s stability and prevent transfer speculation from distracting players during the season.
The club want the squad to remain focused on its sporting objectives rather than become involved in discussions about possible moves, particularly with several competitions still to be contested.
Al-Ahly are aiming to challenge for domestic and continental honours, including the Egyptian Premier League, the African Confederation Cup, the Egypt Cup and the Cairo Cup.
The management said the club’s priority is to continue competing in those tournaments, rather than respond to rumours about transfer interest or possible offers from overseas clubs.
The position effectively closes the door on speculation about Ashour’s departure for the time being, although Al-Ahly have stressed that no official proposal has been received in the first place.
Ashour returns to group training
The club also provided an update on the midfielder’s current situation, confirming that he is taking part in normal group training with the first team.
Ashour is now available to the technical staff led by Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, with his participation in upcoming matches dependent on the coach’s decisions.
Al-Ahly’s management stressed that the final say on whether the midfielder is selected or left out rests with Ammouta, who has full authority over the team’s technical choices.
His availability for selection comes amid questions about his recent absence from Al-Ahly’s matches, which fuelled speculation about his relationship with the coaching staff and his longer-term future at the club.
The reports of interest from Saudi Arabia added another dimension to the discussion, with Al-Ittihad’s name emerging as a possible destination.
However, Al-Ahly’s latest comments have sought to separate the transfer rumours from Ashour’s current situation at the club.
For now, the midfielder remains part of the first-team squad and continues to train normally. Whether he features in the next matches will be determined by Ammouta, while the club maintain that the subject of player departures is not open for discussion during the current period.
