Ramadan Sobhi is a step away from Pyramids FC and the move seems imminent after the player was spotted at the training ground on Wednesday. Photos of the player at Al-Defaa Al-Gawi Stadium wearing Pyramids FC jersey were leaked on social media platforms. The photos were shot before the deal expected to be revealed in the next few days.
Ahly said they had been in intensive talks with Huddersfield to make Sobhi's loan deal permanent, adding that they agreed to meet the English club's asking price of 3.25 million British pounds (EGP 67.7 million).
However, the 23-year-old was tempted by a lucrative contract offer from Pyramids, estimated at EGP 80 million ($5 million) over three years, according to local reports.
Sobhi joined Ahly from then Premier League side Huddersfield last summer on a season-long loan deal, which ended on 30 June. He also spent the second half of last season on loan with the Cairo giants, with his arrival playing a key role in helping the club bridge a gap with perennial rivals Zamalek to win the domestic league for a fourth straight time.
He has also produced some inspiring displays in the early stages of this season, only to suffer a thigh injury that kept him on the sidelines for three months. When he recovered in March, football in Egypt was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sobhi, a product of Ahly's youth academy, had his first foray into European football in the summer of 2016 when he joined then Premier League side Stoke City, before moving to Huddersfield one season later after Stoke were relegated.
After failing to establish himself with his new side, he returned to Ahly in January 2019 on a six-month loan deal.
Pyramids have spent big over the past few seasons to build a team capable of challenging for honours and dethroning Ahly. They finished third in the league last season and reached the CAF Confederation Cup semis this term, where they will face Guinean side Horoya AC.
The Emirati-owned club has also signed Ahly's veteran right-back Ahmed Fathi this summer after he opted not to renew his deal. Their stand-out performer this season, experienced playmaker Abdallah El-Said, also arrived from Ahly in January 2019.
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