Ghazl El Mahalla president reveals details of Mahmoud Salah’s move to Al Ahly

Ghazl El Mahalla president Walid Khalil said Mahmoud Salah chose to join Al Ahly after receiving offers, including one from Zamalek and another from a Spanish club that Khalil did not name. Al Ahly signed the player from Ghazl El Mahalla for five seasons during the previous summer transfer window.

Khalil said negotiations with Zamalek stalled because of a registration issue, while the Spanish club held an online meeting with him and they agreed on the details. However, Salah preferred Al Ahly, despite an attempt to persuade him that playing professionally in Spain would be better for his future. He added that the player stopped attending training in an attempt to secure a move, after which the club sat down with him and received its full entitlements, before the player returned and apologised. Khalil noted that Salah had three years remaining on his Ghazl El Mahalla contract and wished him success at Al Ahly.

Khalil explained that he had asked for the details of the deal not to be disclosed. He said there was an economic agreement that would provide Ghazl El Mahalla with revenue for as long as Salah remained at Al Ahly, as well as 25% of any resale fee if the player moved to another club.