Al Ahly have signalled their intention to secure the club’s key players after extending Emam Ashour’s contract until 2030, with further renewals expected in the coming days.
The Egyptian champions officially confirmed Ashour’s new deal, including an improvement to his financial terms, bringing an end to one of the important contract issues facing the club.
The move is expected to be followed by decisions on several other players as Al Ahly’s football management seeks to preserve the core of the squad and provide greater stability ahead of the next stage.
An Al Ahly source told the winwin platform that the final meeting over Ashour’s extension was held with Dr Essam Serag El-Din, head of the club’s contracts sector.
The source said the administrative and financial details were completed in coordination with Wael Gomaa, the football director, allowing the club to conclude negotiations over the midfielder’s future.
Ashour’s renewal had been one of the files occupying the attention of Al Ahly officials, but the club now appears ready to turn its attention to other members of the squad.
The source said: “Al-Ahly’s surprises will not stop at the Imam Ashour file, after the club came close to finalizing a number of other renewal files in the coming days, within the framework of the football management’s policy to maintain the core of the team and not allow the players to be distracted by offers to leave or contract files.”
Shobeir renewal could be decided soon
Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir is among the players whose future could be resolved shortly.
According to the source, Al Ahly have scheduled a meeting with Shobeir within hours in an attempt to complete the remaining details of a new contract.
Negotiations between the two sides have reportedly made significant progress, with the positions of the club and player moving closer together during the previous period.
The source said: “Mostafa Shobeir, the team’s goalkeeper, is at the forefront of the players whose future is expected to be decided, as a meeting is scheduled with him within hours to put the final touches on renewing his contract, after the past period witnessed a great convergence of views between the two parties, which may be decided definitively today.”
A successful agreement would allow Al Ahly to settle another important squad issue shortly after Ashour’s extension.
Yasser Ibrahim also close to staying
Defender Yasser Ibrahim is another player whose future appears increasingly likely to remain at Al Ahly.
The club has been determined to retain the defender and has rejected the possibility of his departure at this stage.
The source said the player’s potential move to the Saudi League had also become less likely after another player joined Al-Shabab Saudi Club.
That development has helped Al Ahly move closer to resolving the situation, with Ibrahim now reportedly close to signing a new contract.
The source said: “Al-Ahly is close to finalizing the deal for Yasser Ibrahim, the team’s defender, after the club insisted on keeping him and rejected the idea of him leaving during the current stage. The signing of another player by Al-Shabab Saudi Club contributed to closing the file on the defender’s transfer to the Saudi League almost definitively, so the player is very close to renewing his contract.”
El Shenawy contract also on Al Ahly’s agenda
Al Ahly’s renewal plans could extend to club captain and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
His current contract expires at the end of the season, and the club is considering opening negotiations over an extension.
The source said the decision is viewed as important for maintaining stability within the dressing room, given El Shenawy’s experience and his importance to the squad.
His influence extends beyond his performances in goal, with the captain also regarded as an important figure within the team away from matches.
The source said: “Things don’t stop there, but there is a strong trend within Al-Ahly to open the file of renewing the contract of Mohamed El Shenawy , the team’s captain and goalkeeper, which ends at the end of the current season, as they see that settling this file is important to maintain the stability of the dressing room, especially with the technical value and great experience that the team’s captain enjoys, in addition to his role on and off the field.”
Youngster Moawad’s future already secured
Al Ahly have also completed the renewal of Omar Sayed Moawad, whose previous contract was due to expire at the end of the current season.
The club’s decision forms part of a wider strategy to retain young players considered important to the team’s future.
The source said: “Al-Ahly also settled the issue of Omar Sayed Moawad, after the club renewed the player’s contract, which was scheduled to end at the end of the current season, as part of the plan to retain the young players whom the technical staff believes represent a part of the team’s future.”
With Ashour’s long-term future now secured and Moawad’s contract settled, Al Ahly’s attention is turning towards Shobeir, Ibrahim and El Shenawy.
The club’s approach suggests that contract stability has become a priority, with officials seeking to prevent uncertainty over players’ futures from affecting the squad as they prepare for the next stage.
