Portuguese outfit Rio Ave have submitted an official bid for the services of Al Ahly’s midfielder and Egypt international Ahmed Nabil Kouka.
The 23-year-old impressed during the Paris Olympics, helping Egypt finish fourth and scoring the winner against Uzbekistan in the group stages.
At the club level, Kouka has been heavily used by Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller, making 27 appearances last season and playing a key role in guiding the Reds to the CAF Champions League title and the Club World Cup bronze medal.
Kouka’s performances seem to have attracted the interest of European sides as Portuguese club Rio Ave is understood to have submitted an official offer for the player.
Al Ahly is not impressed with the finances involved with Rio Ave’s initial offer and is set to reject it in the upcoming hours and send the Portuguese side their demands.
Kouka might want to depart Al Ahly this summer as the club is closing in on the signing of Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, which might threaten his position in the starting line-up.
While Kouka might be keen on the move, head coach Marcel Koller could hinder the move due to the player’s versatility, which could prove useful ahead of an extremely busy upcoming season for Al Ahly.
Kouka can cover several positions on the pitch, having played initially at left-back during the time of former South African coach Pitso Mosimane.
Coincidentally if the move goes through, it won’t be the first time a Kouka leaves Al Ahly for Rio Ave, with Ahmed Hassan ‘Kouka’ joining the latter from the Reds on a free transfer in 2011, before leaving for Sporting Braga four years later.
Rio Ave currently sit 11th on the Portuguese league table with only three points from their first three games.
Ahmed Nabil Kouka, capped once by the Pharaohs, was initially supposed to be part of the Egypt squad to take part in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, before withdrawing due to injury.