Adam Watani, the "Troublesome" Agent: Is This the End for Emam Ashour with Al Ahly?

The relationship between prominent football agent Adam Watani and Egypt's Al Ahly SC has reached an unprecedented level of tension. A series of fiery statements and administrative decisions have put the future of the team's star midfielder, Emam Ashour, in jeopardy.

How the Conflict Began

The crisis was ignited when Watani revealed on a TV show that there were foreign offers for Emam Ashour. He stated that the player is "the best in Egypt and Africa" and deserves a "professional project that fits his talent," a clear hint that he wished for Ashour to seek a new experience outside of Al Ahly.

Al Ahly’s management was quick to react. According to sources within the club, the administration officially decided to close the file on renewing Emam Ashour's contract. Watani’s statements were deemed "unacceptable" and an act of "media distortion" against the club's image.

The situation became more complicated when Al Ahly confirmed its intention to completely sever all ties with Adam Watani. This decision goes beyond just Emam Ashour’s case and extends to all future transfers, especially after a previous dispute over the transfer of Palestinian player Wessam Abou Ali to the American club Columbus Crew. In that deal, Watani played a significant role, which the club at the time described as being done under "unjustified media pressure."

What Adam Watani Said

In response, Watani said that Al Ahly's decision to not deal with him "does not represent a crisis" for him personally, but rather "reflects a lack of respect for the players themselves." He added, "I brought Al Ahly almost 650 million pounds this year for free, yet my focus remains on the interests of the players I represent."

He further stressed that Ashour's previous professional experience with Danish club FC Midtjylland was a success, and his return to Egypt was a personal decision. He pointed out that "big clubs like Real Madrid did not prevent their players from leaving when they wanted to seek new experiences," suggesting that Ashour's departure is possible if the right offer comes along.

Al Ahly's management has confirmed that it will officially inform Emam Ashour, after he recovers from his recent health issues, that the club has completely closed negotiations on a contract extension. However, the door remains open for evaluating his future based on what is in the best technical interest of the team.

Who is Adam Watani?

Adam Watani is a prominent Egyptian-French football agent based in France. He is a partner of the well-known Egyptian agent Ahmed Yahya. He has played a key role in several major transfers, including:

• Mohamed Abdel Moneim's move to French club Nice.

• Representing Mostafa Mohamed, the forward for FC Nantes and the Egyptian national team.

• Involvement in Karim Benzema's transfer from Real Madrid to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, leveraging his strong relationship with the player and his brother.

• Playing a part in the transfer of Algerian star Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City to Saudi club Al Ahli in 2023.