Al Ahly have ruled out making an exception to their salary policy in a bid to re-sign defender Mohamed Abdel Moneim, as the Egyptian champions continue their search for two more additions before the summer transfer window closes.
The club’s technical staff are aiming to strengthen the squad with further signings before the registration deadline as preparations continue for the new campaign, with the objective of returning the team to title-winning form.
Al Ahly have already completed four transfers during the current window, bringing in Ali Mahmoud, Aktai Abdullah, Algerian forward Moncef Bekar from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, and Moroccan striker Soufiane Benjedida from Maghreb Fez.
Attention has since turned to defensive reinforcements, with reports linking the club to several centre-backs, including former Al Ahly player Mohamed Abdel Moneim and Fenerbahce defender Omar Fayed.
However, a club source told WinWin that Al Ahly have not held fresh talks with Abdel Moneim and remain committed to maintaining their established wage structure.
The source said: “Abdel Moneim is one of Al Ahly’s own, but the club is committed to the agreed-upon salary cap. Even if the player expresses his desire to return, there will still be another obstacle represented by the demands of his French club.”
The comments suggest that any potential move would face financial challenges on two fronts, with both Al Ahly’s internal salary regulations and the player’s current club presenting significant hurdles.
The source also played down speculation surrounding a move for Omar Fayed, revealing that although the defender had previously been monitored by the club’s technical staff, discussions had never progressed beyond an initial enquiry.
He added: “Omar Fayad, the Fenerbahce player, was on the technical staff’s radar in previous periods, but no official negotiations took place with him, and all that happened was just an inquiry, as the football management sought to sign a new center-back.”
Al Ahly are continuing to assess alternatives as they seek to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new season.
Another player considered by the club was Zed defender Ahmed Tarek, but the source said the Egyptian is no longer viewed as an immediate option after undergoing surgery that is expected to sideline him for a period.
According to the club official, Al Ahly’s immediate priority is to recruit a defender capable of making an instant impact rather than one facing a lengthy recovery.
The source continued: “On the local level, Ahmed Tarek, the Zed defender, was of interest to Al-Ahly, but he recently underwent surgery that may keep him out of action for a while, at a time when the team needs a ready defender.”
As a result, the club is continuing to evaluate other candidates, with head coach Hussein Ammouta overseeing the process.
The source concluded: “Al-Ahly is looking to sign a defender with higher technical capabilities than the options currently available within the team, while the Moroccan coach, Hussein Ammouta, continues to monitor a number of nominated names.”
Al Ahly’s transfer activity comes as the team steps up its preparations for the new season through a series of pre-season fixtures.
The Egyptian side are scheduled to face La Viena on Thursday evening in their second friendly of the summer before taking on Petrojet on 5 August.
The squad will then travel to Spain for a training camp featuring three friendly matches on 12 and 13 August before concluding the camp with a fixture against Barcelona at Camp Nou on 19 August.
With several new arrivals already secured and the search for further reinforcements continuing, Al Ahly appear determined to strengthen the squad without departing from the financial principles that the club says remain central to its long-term planning.
