Qatari media reports suggest Egyptian giants Al Ahly are working on a possible summer transfer deal to bring midfielder Akram Tawfik back to the club, with a potential player exchange involving Qatari side Al Shamal.
According to Qatari newspaper Al-Arab, officials from Al Ahly have already made contact with Al-Shamal in an effort to secure Tawfik’s return ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The report states that Al-Shamal have shown willingness to consider the proposal, but have set a condition that they would only sanction the move if they receive a player in exchange from the Egyptian champions.
Discussions are said to have centred on Tunisian international midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who has reportedly been identified by Al-Shamal as their preferred target in any swap arrangement.
Negotiations centred on player exchange
The emerging proposal suggests that Al-Shamal would release Tawfik to Al Ahly only if Ben Romdhane moves in the opposite direction, creating a direct exchange between the two clubs.
The report adds that a more formal position is expected to be clarified in the coming weeks, with the possibility that negotiations could also result in Tawfik simply leaving Al-Shamal to rejoin Al Ahly without a swap deal being completed.
Sources cited in the report indicate that Tawfik’s exit from the Qatari club is becoming increasingly likely. It is claimed that coach David Brights does not rely heavily on the player in competitive matches, contributing to uncertainty over his long-term future in Qatar.
The player is also said to be keen on securing more regular playing time, with a return to Egypt viewed as an opportunity to regain consistent minutes on the pitch.
Ben Romdhane’s situation at Al Ahly
The report also highlights concerns surrounding Ben Romdhane’s lack of playing time at Al Ahly last season.
It is suggested that limited appearances for the club contributed to the midfielder losing his place in the Tunisia national team setup ahead of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Within the proposed scenario, Ben Romdhane would reportedly face two possible outcomes: remain at Al Ahly and attempt to fight for a more prominent role, particularly if coaching changes take place following the expected departure of head coach Yce Torop, or move to Al-Shamal as part of the swap agreement involving Tawfik.
Al Ahly planning squad rebuild
The speculation comes as Al Ahly continue to explore ways of strengthening their squad ahead of the new season.
The club are reportedly aiming to respond strongly after a campaign in which they fell short of expectations, including losing the league title and failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League.
As a result, Al Ahly are expected to be active in the transfer market, with the potential Tawfik deal forming part of a broader strategy to rebuild the squad and restore domestic and continental competitiveness.
While no official agreement has yet been confirmed, the negotiations underline growing transfer activity between Egyptian and Qatari clubs ahead of the summer window, with both sides assessing the potential benefits of a high-profile exchange deal.
