Why Youcef Belaili Rejected Al Ahly Offer

Algeria striker Youceff Belaili has opened up on the bizarre news report on Al Ahly’s supposed €10m offer to land him in early September.

The 28-year-old winger was reported to have agreed terms with the Egyptian Premier League champions but has now come out to explain why he rejected the Red Devils’ offer.

The Pitso Misimane’s coached side had tabled a three-year deal for the technically gifted playmaker, which he revealed to Qatari Al-Kass was never considered as a viable option.

“I had a lot of offers, but there were problems with the team I play for [Ahli Jeddah], so the transfer window ended in Europe before I got the clearance from FIFA,” Bellaili explained.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I received a big offer from Al Ahly but I didn’t want to play in the Egyptian Premier League. I thank Al Ahly board and their fans for expressing the desire to sign me.”[/perfectpullquote]

“I didn’t accept because I said before I am not playing for any club in Africa except Esperance.”

The staggering rumours on Al Ahly’s attempt to land Belaili arrived just 13 days before the end of the summer 2020 transfer window.

The story was broken by Ducor Sports. However, Libyan sources quickly labelled this report as fake news.

Still, Al Ahly showed interest in Belaili but he chose to join Qatar Sports Club after his father confirmed the player had agreed to terms with the Egyptian giants.

Belaili participated in 18 games across all competitions last season with Al Ahli in the Saudi Professional League, where he scored five goals and provided three assists.

The winger started his football career at Algerian side CA Bord Bou Arréridj, going on to join Mouloudia d’Oran in the Algerian league, where he scored 15 goals in 47 appearances.

He then joined Tunisian giants Esperance in the 2012 season, scoring 11 goals in 55 appearances before moving to Al-Ahli of Jeddah last season.

Belaili was part of the Algerian national team that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title and was also named the 2019 African Inter-Club player of the year.