Algeria and Saudi Arabia's Ahli of Jeddah forward Mohamed Youcef Belaili is “50 percent closer” to joining Ahly, according his father, who is also his agent. The Egyptian Premier League leaders Ahly are interested in having the 28-year-old Algerian join the team, as they are currently missing a skilful and decisive winger. “The Saudi club is in talks with Ahly's Marketing and Football Contracts Director Amir Tawfik, but they have not yet reached a financial agreement concerning the player's salary,” said Hafiz Belaili. “The financial disagreement is not big. Ahly is a big team, and it is a great honour for Youcef to play among its ranks, but it depends on the approval of his current club, and it will be resolved during the upcoming period.” “We didn't discuss the contract period. Ahly offered to sign Youcef on a loan deal, but the Saudi club refused. Negotiations are continuing and there is progress between the two clubs,” he added. Hafiz revealed that Tunisia's Esperance also entered into negotiations to bring on Youcef, in addition to requests from other Egyptian clubs, but he assured that negotiations with Ahly are the most serious. "The financial terms and the best offer are the only thing which will decide the player's direction in the new season, but so far Ahli of Jeddah have not given their final word.” Ahly are currently in search of a top-class winger, especially after failing in their bid to sign Ramadan Sobhi, who opted to join big-spending Pyramids FC. The 28-year-old Belaili 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. Belaili then joined Tunisian giants Esperance in the 2012 season, scoring 11 goals in 55 appearances. He moved on to Al-Ahli of Jeddah last season. Belaili was banned from sports for two years by the Confederation of African Football after testing positive for cocaine after a CAF Champions League match in September 2015, when he was wearing the jersey of Algerian side USM Alger. The talented winger was part of the Algerian national team that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title. He was also named the 2019 African Inter-Club player of the year. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
