Al Ahly midfielder Ahmed Nabil Koka is yet to decide his future with the club as contract negotiations enter a critical stage, with the player demanding improved financial terms amid interest from Europe.
The player’s current deal with Al Ahly SC expired at the end of last season, and no agreement has yet been reached over an extension, leaving his future uncertain ahead of the new campaign.
The situation comes at a time when Al Ahly are already facing a growing midfield shortage. The club is set to lose Malian international Aliou Dieng, while also struggling to finalise renewal terms with Koka himself, further complicating squad planning for next season.
According to internal sources, Al Ahly recently tabled an improved contract offer in an attempt to secure the player’s long-term future. The proposal included a four-year extension worth 20 million Egyptian pounds per season, with performance-related bonuses of up to 5 million pounds linked to winning trophies, national team selection, and securing a place in the starting XI. The deal also included incremental annual increases.
However, the offer has been rejected by Koka, who was previously open to discussions earlier in the season but has now hardened his position following renewed interest from abroad.
A club source said the midfielder recently held a private meeting with board member Sayed Abdel Hafeez as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute.
The same source indicated that Koka has received a European offer, believed to be from the Croatian league, which is slightly more lucrative than Al Ahly’s current proposal. This has strengthened his negotiating position as he weighs up whether to continue his career in Egypt or move to Europe.
Koka’s main objection to Al Ahly’s offer is believed to be the structure of the deal, particularly the reliance on performance-related bonuses. The midfielder is said to prefer a clearer financial package, with bonuses incorporated directly into his base salary.
He is reportedly now demanding an annual salary of 35 million Egyptian pounds, excluding bonuses, marking a significant increase on the club’s latest offer.
Sources also revealed that Koka has been closely monitoring Al Ahly’s negotiations with Akram Tawfik, who is currently playing for Al Shamal SC. The club is understood to have agreed a salary structure for Tawfik in the region of 35 million pounds per season.
However, Tawfik himself is reported to have requested an annual salary of around one million US dollars, adding further complexity to the internal wage framework.
Koka is now using that figure as a reference point in his own negotiations, insisting that his salary expectations should match the same valuation level being discussed for similar players.
The midfielder is expected to make a final decision on his future by the end of next week. He will either agree to renew his contract with Al Ahly or pursue a move to Europe, depending on the seriousness of the Croatian offer currently on the table.
If the European proposal fails to materialise into a concrete deal, sources suggest Koka may reconsider and show flexibility in negotiations with the Egyptian champions.
For now, however, the standoff remains unresolved, leaving Al Ahly facing increasing uncertainty in midfield as the new season approaches.
