Al-Ittihad want Franck Kessie and Imam Ashour in midfield double swoop

Al-Ittihad are aiming to sign both Franck Kessie and Egypt international Imam Ashour during the current summer transfer window, according to Saudi presenter Turki Al-Shdeid.

The Saudi Pro League club have been linked with several midfielders as they plan for the new season, with Kessie and Ashour emerging as the leading names in their recruitment plans.

Al-Shdeid, a presenter on Saudi broadcaster Thmanyah, said Al-Ittihad’s priority was to bring back Kessie, who previously played for Al-Ahli Saudi, while also pursuing Ashour from Egyptian club Al Ahly.

“Al-Ittihad’s priority is to sign (Franck) Kessie, the former Al-Ahli player, while the club also wants to bring in Egypt international Imam Ashour,” Al-Shdeid said.

His comments suggest the club could attempt to complete both deals rather than choosing between the two midfielders. Al-Ittihad have already added two players in that area during the current transfer window, signing Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy from Almeria and Rakan Al-Kaabi from Al-Fayha.

The club’s interest in further midfield reinforcements comes after the departure of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho at the end of last season. Al-Ittihad are also dealing with long-term injuries suffered by Malian midfielder Mamadou Doumbia and Hamed Al-Ghamdi.

Ashour’s position at Al Ahly has also become a focus of the transfer speculation. The Egyptian club recently issued a statement confirming that it had rejected an offer from Turkish side Konyaspor for the player.

The proposed deal was worth $4.5m, but Al-Shdeid said the size of the fee was not the reason for the rejection. Instead, the disagreement centred on Konyaspor’s plan to pay the amount over three years.

“Al Ahly announced today that it had rejected the sale of Imam Ashour to Konyaspor for $4.5m, but the problem was not the amount. It was the Turkish club’s desire to pay it over three years,” he added.

Al-Shdeid also claimed that Al-Ittihad had made direct contact with Ashour’s representative, Adam Watany, to discuss the possibility of moving the player to Saudi Arabia during the current transfer period.

“Our sources confirm that Al-Ittihad contacted Imam Ashour’s agent, Adam Watany, to discuss the possibility of signing the player during the current period,” he said.

The reports have increased uncertainty around Al-Ittihad’s midfield plans, despite the club’s completed deals for Lopy and Al-Kaabi. The side are looking to rebuild after Fabinho’s departure and the injuries affecting Doumbia and Al-Ghamdi, while a move for Kessie, Ashour or both would represent a further reshaping of the squad before the new season begins.

Al-Shdeid also addressed Al-Ittihad supporters in a special segment for Thmanyah, where he outlined the club’s reported interest in the two midfielders.