Shobeir reveals club stance as Saudi links and European hopes persist
Ahmed Shobeir has dismissed reports suggesting that Emam Ashour has received confirmed offers to leave Al Ahly SC, while outlining the club’s position on a potential transfer.
Speaking on his radio programme, Shobeir addressed speculation that has linked the midfielder with clubs abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and provided insight into discussions held with officials at Al Ahly.
No confirmed offers despite reports
Shobeir indicated that, despite widespread reports of interest, the club has not received any formal bids for the player.
“Regarding Imam Ashour, we hear a lot about the interest of Saudi Cooperation and Neom, as if all the offers are from Saudi Arabia and there is nothing from Europe. All the talk is about the Saudi League, which has become classified as a European League, and it was said that he received more than one offer.”
He went on to explain that direct enquiries with the club did not support those claims.
“I asked at Al Ahly club if Imam Ashour had an offer, and they told me: By God, he does not have any real offer. They told me: Captain, don’t tire yourself out, because everyone who wants to sign will not move now, but will wait until after the World Cup, where 48 teams from different classifications will participate, and therefore everyone prefers to wait to choose the best.”
Clubs expected to delay decisions
According to the information shared, potential suitors may be delaying any approach until after the upcoming World Cup, where a larger pool of players will be on display.
Shobeir suggested that this strategic timing could influence recruitment decisions, with clubs opting to assess performances on the global stage before committing to transfers.
“I told them, ‘But we are talking about a well-known player in the Arab region, and Saudi clubs want him.’ They told me: ‘It is possible that these clubs will follow other players during the World Cup, and this is very likely.’ They added that Imam has tough matches against Spain and Brazil, and if he performs well, his chances of turning professional may increase.”
Door remains open for European move
Despite the absence of confirmed offers, Al Ahly appear open to the possibility of Ashour moving abroad, including to Europe.
Shobeir confirmed that the club would not stand in the player’s way if a suitable opportunity arises, reinforcing a policy that prioritises player development and career progression.
“He concluded: “I asked them why he doesn’t move to Europe? They told me: The door is open. I said: Is this certain? They said: Yes. I reminded them that I said a few days ago that any player in Al-Ahly who receives a suitable offer will be accepted. They said: This is true. The club will not stand in the way of any player who has a good offer, especially after exiting the African competitions. But the decision in the end depends on the existence of an official and strong offer.””
Future hinges on performance and formal bids
Ashour’s immediate focus remains on upcoming international fixtures, including challenging matches against Spain and Brazil, which could influence his market value and attract further interest.
While speculation continues, the situation appears to depend largely on whether concrete offers materialise in the coming months.
For now, Al Ahly maintain that no formal proposals have been received, leaving the player’s future unresolved as attention turns to performances on the international stage and the post-World Cup transfer market.
