The Egyptian club Al Ahly has successfully reached a final agreement with Moroccan side Maghreb Fassi to acquire their striker Sofiane Ben Jdida during the ongoing summer transfer window. This significant move came after extensive negotiations that involved disagreements over the financial aspects and payment methods. Ultimately, both parties managed to finalize the deal, leading to Ben Jdida signing his transfer contracts to join the prestigious Red Castle.
According to reports released today, Saturday, Al Ahly has completed the final touches of the agreement with the Moroccan club, and Ben Jdida is set to arrive in Cairo for a medical examination and to finalize the necessary procedures ahead of the official announcement of the transfer.
Details of the Agreement Between Al Ahly and Maghreb Fassi
As of now, the reports have not clearly disclosed the duration of the contract between the Moroccan striker and Al Ahly, and the final details are expected to be revealed upon the club's official announcement. Egyptian media reports suggest that Al Ahly has agreed to pay $3 million to Maghreb Fassi for Sofiane Ben Jdida's services, with the primary amount to be settled in two installments.
Sources indicate that Ben Jdida is still under contract with Maghreb Fassi until June 2030, which has given his club a strong negotiating position. The agreement also includes additional bonuses that could rise to $500,000, contingent on the player meeting specific conditions and performance targets during his time with Al Ahly.
Furthermore, Maghreb Fassi will retain a 20% share of any future resale value of Ben Jdida, ensuring financial benefit for the Moroccan club should the player transfer from Al Ahly to another team. Consequently, the total value of the potential deal could reach $3.5 million if all bonuses are activated, in addition to the resale percentage, particularly after Maghreb Fassi initially insisted on a $4 million fee representing the buyout clause in the player's contract.
Earlier reports highlighted a financial gap between Al Ahly's offer and Maghreb Fassi's demands before negotiations progressed to an agreement that included a fixed sum, future bonuses, and a resale percentage.
Ben Jdida Signs and Awaits Medical Checks
Al Ahly has secured Sofiane Ben Jdida's signature following a personal agreement for the transfer, while negotiations between the two clubs concluded regarding the payment method and other terms. The Moroccan striker is expected to arrive in Cairo to undergo the customary medical tests before completing his registration and being officially presented to the media.
Initially, the player's family showed a preference for him to join a European club due to external interest in his services. However, Al Ahly's proactive measures and the coaching staff's insistence on his acquisition played a significant role in shifting the course of negotiations. Egyptian media personality Ibrahim Fayek announced the completion of the deal, stating on his official Facebook account: "It’s 100% confirmed... Ben Jdida is an Al Ahly player."
Nonetheless, the official announcement from Al Ahly remains the final step needed to confirm the transfer's completion and disclose the contract duration and other personal details concerning the player.
Moreover, Hussein Amouta, the head coach of Al Ahly, has been instrumental in negotiations to sign Ben Jdida, advocating for his addition to strengthen the striker position ahead of the new season. The Moroccan coach engaged in the negotiations to convince the player about Al Ahly's sporting project, given his familiarity with Ben Jdida's technical capabilities and his contributions with Maghreb Fassi in the past season.
The coaching staff believes that the attacking line requires new elements, especially after Marwan Othman returned to Ceramica Cleopatra following the end of his loan, and with the unclear status of Mohamed Sherif regarding his continuity with the club. The arrivals of Ben Jdida and Algerian striker Monsef Biqar might reduce Mohamed Sherif's chances of remaining at the club, as the coaching staff aims to reshape the front line with fresh talent.
Sofiane Ben Jdida's Impressive Performance with Maghreb Fassi
Sofiane Ben Jdida established himself as one of the standout strikers in the Moroccan league last season, netting 20 goals and leading Maghreb Fassi to win the championship title. The player was awarded the top scorer title after competing in 31 matches for Maghreb Fassi across various competitions, where he scored 20 goals and assisted two others.
These impressive statistics have significantly increased his market value and attracted interest from several clubs, particularly given his ability to operate both inside the penalty area and contribute to build-up play. Ben Jdida returned to Moroccan football in August 2025 after a professional stint in Belgium, where he had his most remarkable season with Maghreb Fassi, culminating in the club's league title.
Upon the official announcement of the deal, Ben Jdida will become a new addition to Al Ahly's summer signings, following the acquisitions of Ali Mahmoud and Akhtay Abdullah from Enppi, as part of the management's strategy to bolster the squad in preparation for upcoming local and continental challenges.
As reported by almashhad.com.
