Imam Ashour transfer to Al Ittihad stalls as Al Ahly demand $10m upfront

Al Ahly have given Al Ittihad a 48-hour deadline to meet a $10m cash-only valuation for midfielder Imam Ashour, with negotiations over the Egypt international’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia at an impasse.

The Cairo club have rejected an improved offer from Al Ittihad worth an initial $6m plus a further $2m in bonuses and add-ons linked to sporting targets, despite the Saudi Pro League side significantly increasing their original bid.

According to details reported by “Africa Foot”, Al Ittihad recently stepped up their attempts to sign Ashour by raising the guaranteed fee and building in performance-related variables, but Al Ahly turned down the proposal immediately and refused to enter talks based on that structure.

Al Ahly have informed the Jeddah club that they will only consider selling Ashour if they receive $10m paid in full, up front and in cash, at the moment any contracts are signed.

The Egyptian champions have also set a strict time frame, granting Al Ittihad 48 hours to accept those terms if they want the deal completed before Al Ahly close the door on negotiations.

Payment structure the main hurdle

Sources cited by “Africa Foot” say Al Ittihad have shown a willingness in principle to meet Al Ahly’s $10m valuation, but only if they are allowed to spread the cost in instalments.

The Saudi side’s proposal is to pay $6m immediately on signing, with the remaining $4m to be settled in two further payments: the first at the start of January and the second during March.

Al Ahly have rejected that payment plan outright and reiterated that they will not accept any deferrals or staggered schedule. Their stance is that the full $10m must be transferred in a single lump sum for the move to go ahead.

Faced with that uncompromising position, an Al Ittihad official is understood to have requested one final extension within the same 48-hour window to submit a definitive response before the deadline set by Al Ahly expires.

Key figure in Al Ahly’s long-term plans

Ashour, 28, is under contract with Al Ahly until June 2028 and is viewed internally as one of the pillars of the club’s project over the coming seasons.

The midfielder, a full Egypt international, continues to attract attention from several clubs, but Al Ahly’s hierarchy appear determined to keep hold of him unless their full financial demands are met.

Club officials have made clear that Ashour will not be allowed to leave unless a buying side agrees to the $10m valuation and pays the entire amount in cash upon completion of any agreement.

For now, Al Ittihad must decide whether to match those conditions in full or risk seeing one of their main summer targets taken off the market once Al Ahly’s deadline passes.