Essam Sirag El-Din, Head of the Contracts Sector at Al-Ahly Club, confirmed that the Red Devils have set a specific financial ceiling for their transfers. He noted that this marks a change in the club's policy regarding new player contracts and revealed behind-the-scenes details of his negotiations with Ayman El-Sherei, Chairman of ENPPI Club, to sign the duo Ali Mahmoud and Aqtay Abdullah.
In statements made via Al-Ahly TV, Essam Sirag El-Din said: "The figures in the Egyptian transfer market are unfair; there is a significant and exaggerated surge in deals. These unjust values lead to inflation among clubs, resulting in increased salaries and contracts despite revenues being lower, which exacerbates clubs' financial crises."
He continued: "I would like to thank Ayman El-Sherei, Chairman of ENPPI Club. Although he requested high figures at the start of negotiations to sign Ali Mahmoud and Aqtay Abdullah, those were simply the market conditions at the time."
He added: "He is very demanding, but we are friends. I exercised great patience during the past period. El-Sherei understood that our policies would change, that there are specific financial limits that will not be exceeded, that we will provide opportunities for youth academy players, and that we aim to establish fruitful cooperation with all clubs."
He further stated: "There was cooperation with Walid Khalil, the Board Chairman. We did not exceed the ceiling we set. The club's policy does not impose itself on others; rather, it serves everyone's interest. This will economically benefit all clubs."
He added: "I also thank the officials of Petrojet Club for their cooperation. We did not exceed the financial framework in the deal for Tawfik Mohamed. We are working to balance the economic process in Egyptian football as a whole."
He clarified: "I sold two players to Al-Masry Club at figures close to those we paid when acquiring them. I also thank Mr. Kamel Abu Ali for his tremendous cooperation during the past period."
He concluded: "No technical manager can impose his opinion if the financial consideration for a deal is inappropriate. The decision is institutional, not individual, and all coaches understand this matter."
