Youcef Belaili (R) fights for the ball with AL-Ahly's defender Mohamed Hany during the Champions League final in 2018 (Photo: AFP)
Egyptian Premier League leaders Ahly are in advanced talks to secure the services of Algerian forward Mohamed Youcef Belaili who currently plays for Saudi side Al-Ahli of Jeddah.
The player's agent and father Hafiz Belaili revealed that topflight African teams like Esperance of Tunisia and Egypt's Zamalek and Pyramids FC have stepped up their interest in signing the Algerian star, but Ahly's negotiations are the most serious.
"The offer of Egypt's Ahly is the most serious, as Youcef welcomes it, but we have to reach a deal with Al-Ahli of Jeddah," Belaili told a television programme.
"Egypt's Ahly is a big team and they have a large number of trophies, but the deal won't be finalised unless an agreement is reached on the financial details with the Saudi team.
"A representative of Zamalek contacted us, but without any development in the negotiations, and Pyramids FC management also asked about the player's services but there are no new talks.
"We won’t close the door on any team who want to sign the player, as the three Egyptian teams are big and whoever makes a good offer will sign him," the agent said.
The 28-year-old winger 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.
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