EGYPTIAN star Afsha looks set to disappoint Celtic by sealing a loan deal to megarich Saudi Arabian side Al Batin, after he slapped in a transfer request.
The Hoops have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old creative midfielder, who plays for Cairo giants Al-Ahly and is an international teammate of Liverpool icon Mo Salah. He has been tipped to become their next big import to European football.
The player stunned his club at the weekend by putting in a written transfer request and his wish is set to be granted with manager Marcel Koller accepting they will be unable to hold onto the player.
But instead of a touted move to Europe, Afsha looks set to be heading to Saudi Arabia to sign for ambitious Al Batin, who were only promoted to the Saudi Professional League two years ago after winning the second-tier title.
They have reportedly had a bid of £750,000 for a six-month loan deal accepted for the player, who would join up with his new club from January.
Al-Ahly accepted a £300,000 offer for the player in August from Turkish side Sivasspor, but the deal collapsed. And he appears to have ended the chance of moving to Celtic by agreeing to sign for the Saudis.
It comes after Al-Ahly slapped a £4.15 million price tag on the player.
The club stated: "Following a meeting between the president and the football sector planning committee, it was agreed Afsha will not be sold for less than 5 million dollars.
"We believe it is a very appropriate amount for the player’s capabilities and also for the price of the transfer market at the present time and his agent was informed of Al-Ahly’s conditions.
"This was done with the blessing of the technical staff and manager Marcel Koller."
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