Yasser Ibrahim weighs Saudi move as Al Ahly contract talks reach crossroads

Yasser Ibrahim is considering whether to remain with Al Ahly or accept a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab, with the proposed salary reportedly three to four times higher than his current earnings.

The Al Ahly and Egypt defender has been offered a contract by Al Shabab while his current club continues to push for him to stay. The approach has complicated negotiations over a new deal and left Ibrahim facing a major decision during the current summer transfer window.

Egyptian broadcaster Ahmed Shobier said the offer from Al Shabab was genuine and had placed the player in a difficult position.

Speaking on his On Sport radio programme, Shobier said: “The player has one eye in heaven and the other in hell.”

The phrase referred to Ibrahim’s uncertainty over whether to continue with Al Ahly, where the club wants to retain him, or move to Saudi Arabia for a new professional opportunity and a significantly improved financial package.

Al Ahly had planned to hold a meeting with Ibrahim to discuss his contract, alongside Imam Ashour, Mostafa Shobeir and Mohamed Hany. However, the cancellation of a training session meant that the meeting had to be postponed.

The club’s management remains committed to keeping all four players and is working to conclude the renewal discussions as quickly as possible. Shobier nevertheless stressed that none of the agreements should be considered final until the contracts have been formally signed.

Ibrahim is understood to be trying to persuade Al Ahly’s officials to approve his departure, using the substantial offer from Al Shabab as leverage in the negotiations. At the same time, Al Ahly are continuing talks with the defender in an attempt to improve his financial terms and extend his contract for two seasons.

The situation means Ibrahim’s future remains unresolved, with the player weighing the security of continuing at Al Ahly against the prospect of taking up a new challenge in the Saudi Pro League.

The club’s desire to retain him has ensured that negotiations remain active, but the size of the Saudi offer has created a significant obstacle. Until the two sides reach an agreement and the relevant paperwork is signed, Ibrahim’s next step cannot be confirmed.

For now, the defender remains caught between Al Ahly’s efforts to keep him and the financial appeal of Al Shabab’s proposal. The postponed meeting has delayed the process, while both the player and the club continue to consider their positions before the contract discussions resume.