Al Ahly have given Al Ittihad a 48-hour deadline to meet their demand for a $10m upfront fee for Imam Ashour, as negotiations over the Egypt international’s move to the Saudi club hit a fresh impasse.
Al Ittihad have significantly improved their offer for the midfielder in recent hours, but the Cairo giants are refusing to sanction the departure of one of their key players unless strict financial conditions are met.
According to information obtained by “Africa Foot”, Al Ittihad have stepped up their attempts to sign Ashour and recently submitted an enhanced proposal worth $6m, plus a further $2m in bonuses and performance-related add-ons tied to various sporting targets. The overall package represents a clear increase on their initial bid.
Al Ahly, however, rejected the revised offer immediately upon receiving it, making clear they are unwilling to negotiate on the basis of instalments, variables or conditional payments at the level proposed.
Firm $10m cash demand
The Al Ahly board has informed Al Ittihad officials that it will only consider selling Ashour if the club receive $10m in cash.
The Egyptian club have given their Saudi counterparts 48 hours to accept that condition if they want to complete the transfer before talks are effectively closed.
Sources quoted by “Africa Foot” say Al Ittihad have indicated a preliminary willingness to meet the $10m valuation set by Al Ahly, but only if they are allowed to spread the payment.
Under Al Ittihad’s current proposal, the Jeddah side would pay $6m immediately on signing the contracts, with the remaining $4m to be settled in two instalments – the first at the start of January and the second during March.
Al Ahly have categorically rejected that structure and restated that they will only agree to the move if the full transaction value is paid at the moment of signing, with no delays and no instalments.
Final response awaited
In light of Al Ahly’s stance, one Al Ittihad official has requested an additional and final period of time to deliver the club’s definitive response before the deadline set by the Egyptian champions expires.
Ashour, 28, is under contract with Al Ahly until June 2028 and is viewed as a central figure in the club’s long-term project over the coming seasons.
The midfielder continues to attract interest from several clubs, but Al Ahly’s hierarchy appear determined to keep him unless an offer fully satisfies their financial conditions – above all, receiving the entire $10m fee in cash upon completion of any agreement.
