Al Ahly have opened talks with Ceramica Cleopatra FC over goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam to replace the injured Mohamed El-Shenawy.
While it’s yet to be confirmed, Mohamed El-Shenawy is set to miss the remainder of the season after dislocating his shoulder during Egypt’s AFCON clash with Cape Verde.
With Ali Lotfi departing the club last summer, Al Ahly is left with just inexperienced Mostafa Shobier and Hamza Alaa, which led head coach Marcel Koller to look to bring in a new keeper to secure cover and competition.
Bank Al Ahly keeper Mohamed Abougabal was an option, but according to renowned pundit Ahmed Shobier, Al Ahly decided to turn their approach to Cleopatra FC’s number one Mohamed Bassam.
According to Shobier, an agreement is yet to be reached between both parties, but Al Ahly are continuing to push ahead with their pursuit of the former Egypt international and have already held talks with his camp.
“Al Ahly does indeed desire to acquire a new goalkeeper based on the request of Marcel Koller. They have initiated negotiations with Cleopatra to sign Mohamed Bassam, as advised by goalkeeping coach Michel Iannacone,” Shobier revealed.
“Al Ahly’s offer is a six-month loan and Cleopatra isn’t against the departure of their goalkeeper to Al Ahly; however, they requested Mostafa Shobier in return, which Al Ahly rejected.
“Al Ahly instead offered Cleopatra Hamza Alaa, but it was met with rejection and they insisted on including Shobier in the deal.
“The negotiations between both clubs have stalled, but Al Ahly will return for a second, third, and fourth time in hopes of reaching an agreement.
“Current ZED and former Al Ahly keeper Ali Lotfi could be an option if the deal for Bassam falls, but Marcel Koller asked to postpone the Lotfi talks until Bassam’s situation is clarified.”
Mohamed Bassam, 33, has been playing for Cleopatra FC since September 2022, joining them from El-Gaish for a reported fee of €928,000.
Ahead of his move to his current club, Bassam was linked several times with a move to Al Ahly, the club his brother Omar Bassam represented until 2015.