Scottish champions Celtic are reportedly facing a battle to land Al Ahly playmaker Afsha, amid notable rival interest in the Egyptian international.
What’s the word?
As per Football Scotland, the Premiership giants are said to have ‘lost ground’ in the race for the 26-year-old – full name Mohamed Magdy – with an unnamed MLS club believed to have begun negotiations for the midfielder.
The report suggests that, while the Parkhead giants are not ‘out of the race’ just yet, the player – who has been valued at around £4m – is reportedly ‘interested’ in the potential move to North America in January.
This follows a previous report from the same publication which suggested that Celtic’s head of recruitment Peter Lawwell had made “contact” with the 19-cap gem’s representatives, with the diminutive ace having also reportedly been a target for the Hoops last year.
Turnbull upgrade
The “wonderful” talent – as described by his former boss Ante Cacic – has warranted such intense interest as a result of his impressive form in his homeland in recent times, with the 5 foot 6 sensation having recorded three assists in just six league games so far this term.
The versatile ace – who can feature on the flanks or in a central midfield role – has had a “great influence” on his current side of late according to Cacic, with his overall tally for the Cairo outfit standing at 62 goals and assists in 148 games in all competitions.
That impressive record over the past few seasons has ensured that the exciting asset boasts an overall club career tally of 47 goals and 52 assists in 259 games in all competitions, having notably won a plethora of major honours in that time, including two CAF Champions League triumphs.
The addition of such a creative figure to help supplement the attack in Ange Postecoglou’s side could well hasten the exit of David Turnbull, with the former Motherwell man having struggled for game-time so far this season.
Although the 23-year-old has still racked up seven goal involvements in 18 outings this term, only seven of those appearances have come from the start, with the Scotland international seemingly unable to enjoy a regular run in the side.
Frank McAvennie has suggested that the playmaker could well be one that the Bhoys look to “get rid of”, with the £16k-per-week man said to be “too slow” to fit into Postecoglou’s rampant and relentless Celtic outfit.
Turning the more dynamic and agile Afsha – who has been lauded for his ability to link play “between the lines”, as per Cacic – could then prove an upgrade for the Premiership champions moving forward, with Lawwell needing to do all that he can to try and get Celtic firmly back in the mix for the Egyptian’s signature.