Moatasem Salem's persistence finally paid off after Ismaili accepted Ahli's offer to sign him on a three-year deal for EGP 4.75 million on Wednesday. "Salem has penned a deal with Ahli at last," his agent Samir Al-Sayed told FilGoal.com. The central defender made no secret of his desire to leave Ismaili and join bitter rivals Ahli despite the constant hostility between the fans of both sides. Ahli's arch-rivals Zamalek, the traditional allies of Ismaili, had an offer for him accepted by the coastal club but they could not sign the 29-year-old. Salem refused to move to Zamalek and voiced his desire to join Ahli, whom Ismaili fans usually accuse of trying to destabilize their team through snapping up their stars. Ismaili board unanimously objected to selling him to Ahli last month but eventually could not maintain their stance.
Ismaili-Ahli: fierce rivarly They accepted Ahli's bid just one day before the closure of the Egyptian transfer window. Ahli rarely succeed in their attempts to strike bargains with Ismaili in the transfer market. The Egyptian champions' current squad boasts several ex-Ismaili players but most of them joined as free agents. Versatile midfielder Mohamed Abdullah, who was released by Zamalek on Wednesday, and defender Sherif Abdul-Fadil were the only players to join Ahli from Ismaili during the past decade. Salem became Ahli's sixth signing in a fruitful summer for the Red Devils. They landed holding midfielders Hossam Ghaly and Mohamed Shawky, goalkeeper Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud, playmaker Abdul-Hamid Shabana and Egypt forward Geddo. Salem is expected to compete with Ahmed Al-Sayed for a place in the heart of Ahli's defense alongside the veteran Wael Gomaa.
