Celtic are reported to have made initial enquiries over a potential move for Egypt international midfielder Emam Ashour as the Hoops continue to assess options ahead of the new season.
The 28-year-old is believed to be available for around £4 million following an impressive spell with Al-Ahly, and has emerged as one of several midfielders under consideration as Martin O’Neill looks to reshape his squad this summer.
Comfortable on the ball and renowned for his attacking qualities, Ashour is regarded as a creative midfielder who regularly contributes goals and assists from central areas.
According to Mark Hendry, Celtic have contacted the player’s representatives to establish the terms of a possible transfer, although no formal offer has yet been made.
A move for Ashour would represent something of a departure from Celtic’s usual recruitment model, with the club typically targeting younger players who offer significant long-term resale potential.
Ashour enhanced his reputation during Egypt’s World Cup campaign, producing standout displays that included a spectacular strike against Belgium in the group stage before finding the net again in his country’s knockout victory over Australia.
The midfielder has spent the past three seasons with Al-Ahly, where he helped the Egyptian giants complete a historic African treble in 2024.
He followed that success by finishing as the Egyptian Premier League’s leading scorer with 13 goals despite operating in midfield.
His only spell in European football came with Danish side Midtjylland after joining in January 2023.
However, his time there was short-lived after a serious thigh injury saw him return to Egypt for rehab.
Ashour ultimately chose not to return to Denmark because of homesickness, with Al-Ahly later matching the £3.5 million fee Midtjylland had originally paid to sign him.
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1 Comment
The age factor of these rumoured players, would indicate, that a more serious approach is trying to be taken for European competitions imo?
This despite, the player trading model potentially taken a hit, but with the amount of incoming fees expected, then that shouldn’t be an issue imo?
Especially with the reserves already in the bank?
As the profile of the player?
We have lacked that creative midfielder, since possibly the link up kyogo and Oreily were able to produce, especially in European football imo?
Also believe that we would benefit from playing at a higher tempo, for our more creative players can become more effective in an attacking sence?
Not so easy if teams are going to sit in, with the low block?
But that was reduced moreso within the SPFL last season, but we still seemed to struggle with so much of the slower tempo on show, and allowing teams to get back into a defensive shape to easily as a result imo?
Getting reduced to a moments team, isn’t the type of team we have come to expect from ourselves?
And we won’t continue with them moments coming so late within games, to get the winning results either?
So would welcome, the higher age profile of a potential player, especially if well established?
Even moreso if they can provide that extra creativity that our midfield areas struggled badly with last season imo?
We have to start creating far more goal scoring opportunities next season, especially if success is to be gained in European football imo?
An improvement from shooting from distance, wouldn’t go a miss either?