Egyptian giants Al Ahly have begun early moves in the summer transfer window as the club prepares for a major rebuild following a disappointing campaign that fell short of expectations across multiple competitions.
The club’s hierarchy is working to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season, with plans already underway to reinforce key areas before the expected arrival of Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, who is set to replace outgoing Danish manager Jess Thorup following the termination of his contract.
A senior club official recently travelled to Morocco to finalise arrangements for Ammouta’s appointment, with an official announcement expected imminently. The move is part of a broader restructuring process aimed at restoring Al Ahly to domestic and continental dominance.
The urgency around recruitment comes after a season in which Al Ahly failed to secure major honours, missing out on the CAF Champions League, the Egyptian Cup, and the Cairo League Cup. The only success came in the Egyptian Super Cup, a modest return by the club’s high standards.
Their third-place finish in the Egyptian Premier League also means the club will not feature in the next CAF Champions League campaign and will instead compete in the CAF Confederation Cup, increasing pressure on management to rebuild a competitive squad quickly.
Early Transfer Planning Underway
According to an official source, the club has already identified the key areas requiring reinforcement, with defensive midfield and striker positions prioritised as part of the summer overhaul.
The source confirmed that internal planning is already advanced, with discussions initiated to ensure early signings before the squad returns to pre-season training, which is scheduled to begin on June 22.
“Al-Ahly has put in place a plan to actually support these two positions, and has started moving to settle matters early, especially since the team will begin its training and preparation for the new season in 10 days, specifically on June 22nd.”
Talks Begin for Midfield Reinforcements
One of the primary targets identified is Ali Mahmoud, who currently plays for Enppi. Initial contact has already been made with Enppi president Ayman El Shereei, with negotiations underway between the two clubs.
“Al-Ahly contacted Enppi’s president, Ayman Al-Shari’i, and requested to sign Ali Mahmoud, the petroleum team’s midfielder. There are indeed negotiations between the two parties, but no other player was discussed during the meeting that took place hours ago, although Enppi striker Aktai Abdullah is also on the Red Castle’s radar.”
The same source confirmed that further discussions have already taken place involving Al Ahly’s contracts department, with both parties agreeing to hold additional talks to finalise financial details in the coming days.
Additional Midfield Options Identified
Al Ahly are also working on a separate deal for Akram Tawfik, currently at Al Shamal in Qatar. The club views him as a key option to strengthen the midfield following the departure of Malian international Aliou Dieng, who has joined Valencia in Spain.
His exit has left a gap in the holding midfield role, prompting the club to accelerate recruitment efforts in that area.
Striker Search Expands
In attack, Al Ahly are preparing to reshape their forward line with a focus on signing both a foreign striker and a Palestinian forward as part of their rebuilding strategy.
The club is not expected to renew the loans of Yelsin Kamwis and Marwan Othman, while the future of forward Mohamed Sherif remains uncertain due to reported dissatisfaction with his performances.
This leaves Al Ahly facing a significant reshuffle in the attacking department, with recruitment efforts aimed at improving goal output ahead of a demanding season that includes domestic competition and the Confederation Cup.
A Critical Phase for the Club
With pre-season fast approaching and a new coach expected to take charge, Al Ahly’s early transfer activity reflects the urgency within the club to correct last season’s shortcomings.
The coming weeks are expected to be decisive as negotiations progress and the squad begins to take shape under new leadership, with the club determined to return quickly to the top of Egyptian and African football.
