Egyptian serial title winners Al Ahly is looking to bolster its squad and is reportedly considering making a swoop for Taha Khenissi Yassine. The Cairo International Stadium outfit is plotting to secure the Egyptian Premier League title for the 40th time after scooping it last season.
But the side currently trails Ismaily FC and want reinforcement before the end of first half-half of the season. Chairman Mahmoud El Khatib has reportedly given gaffer Hossam El-Badry the go-ahead to beef up his roster with the acquisition of a new attacker to provide competition for the Red Devils’ front line-up.
Twelve of the side’s combined twenty goals have come from the midfield with Walid Azarou and Oluwafemi Junior Ajayi –the main forwards –managing eight goals between them.
As a result, 25-year-old Tunisian international Yassine is being touted as both a quick and long-term fix to Ahly’s attacking profligacy.
Yassine has been leading the goal chart in the Tunisian domestic Ligue Une the past campaigns and is a revered figure amongst fans of Esperance de Tunis. The Carthage Eagles’ goal-getter is on six goals in seven starts this new term but for a move to Cairo to be sanctioned, will hinge hugely on the financial muscle of the Egyptian club.
Aware of the proliferation of interest in their star asset, Esperance have slapped a hefty €1m fee on the Zarzis-born, a sum even UAE and Qatar suitors of the player have baulked at paying. But the figure could count for nothing if the Tunisian giants allow Yassine to run down his current three-year deal set to expire June 30th next year.
Talks of a contract renewal on improved terms have begun between the player’s agent and the ES board but nothing concrete has come of the negotiations so far although, there remains strong hope an agreement will be reached eventually.
