Zamalek set to open negotiations with Asante Kotoko over a move forward Kwame Opoku
Note here that…
- Mostafa Mohamed has moved to Galatasaray though on loan
- Zamalek have signed Maqassa striker Marwan Hamdi as replacement
- But Hamdi’s signing won’t stop Zamalek from signing Kwame Opoku
- Because Zamalek see Kwame Opoku as similar to departed Mostafa Mohamed
- And Zamalek are now set to contact Kotoko over a deal in coming days
- But the Egyptian side face three obstacles in Opoku’s transfer
- Kotoko’s unwillingness to sell especially in winter transfer window
- over-valuation asking price
- exceeded foreign quota
- However, Zamalek can bargain well to reduced the asking price or pay whatever fee quoted
- Zamalek meanwhile have sent Onajeum out on loan to WAC to free exceeded foreign quota
- Which is a big green light for Opoku’s move this term or beginning of next season
Zamalek are reportedly set to open negotiations with Ghana Premier League outfit Asante Kotoko over a move for hot prospect Kwame Opoku.
Opoku joined Asante Kotoko from lower tier side Nkoranza Warriors in second transfer window in February 2020 as a replacement for Burkina Faso International Songne Yacouba who had left for Tanzania side Young Africans.
- Read more: Tanzania giants Young Africans complete the signing of former Asante Kotoko forward Songne Yacouba
Opoku’s former side Nkoranza Warriors announced the deal, “Nkoranza Warriors Sporting Club wish to announce the transfer of striker Kwame Opoku.”
“The goal poacher has been transferred to Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.”
“We thank him for his service to the Club and we wish him best in all his endeavors.”
He was expected to lead Kotoko attacking line in the second round of the 2019/2020 season before the term was finally terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic in March.
Opoku, 21, started his Kotoko career with enviable record after grabbing five goals in his first friendly game at club’s training complex against Jachie Academy and has since then attached himself to the line of expectation despite the technical changes that have hit the Porcupine Warriors in recent times.
Opoku, 23, has struck 6 times in 11 Ghana Premier League outings and this number is not even the case but his power, holding team play and latching onto the final pass make the real deal comparing him to European elite forwards like Luis Suárez, ‘Atletico Madrid’s’ Radamel Falcao and Gonzalo Higuaín.
- Related Article: Zamalek boss Jaime Pacheco downplays Al Ahly Caf Champions League triumph amid coronavirus
On the African continent, Kwame Opoku is a version of former Barcelona star and Cameroonian veteran Samuel Eto’o and have a little bit of Zamalek’s Mostafa Mohamed in him given his ability to bring the ball from air to the turf while not spoiling those moments but converting them into real piece of chances or goals.
The Ghanaian International comes into the folds of Zamalek after the Egyptian giants have lost danger man Mostafa Mohamed to Galatasaray. “Galatasaray Sportif A.S have announced to the public that an agreement has been reached on the temporary transfer of professional footballer Mostafa Mohamed Ahmed Abdalla with an option to buy. We wish Mostafa Mohamed, who will continue his career in yellow and red, success with Galatasaray,” a statement from the Turkish side read on their website.
With Mostafa Mohamed’s output coming so crucial for Zamalek since beginning of last season til when he parted way with the White-Knights, the Cairo based side are reportedly want someone who weigh in characteristics with the Egyptian International with Opoku already scouted as a potential candidate.
“Throughout the past 20 days I watched videos for several African strikers and I nominated Asante Kotoko striker and top scorer of Ghanaian league Kwame Opoku to join the club, but we will be facing a dilemma since our foreign players quota is complete,” Zamalek supervisor of football Ashraf Kasem told On Time Sports TV channel.
Mostafa Mohamed grabbed 19 goals last season and 2 in 4 Egyptian Premier Leagues this term before he left for Galatasaray 4 more less than his similar replacement Kwame Opoku who has struck 6 times in the Ghana Premier League.
Mostafa’s goals have contributed to Zamalek’s 23 points on top of the North African’s top flight league table whiles Opoku’s goals have pushed Asante Kotoko to 7th position after 11 Ghana Premier League games.
With the second transfer window opened until end of February in some African countries including Ghana, Zamalek will be contacting the Ghana Premier League outfit for Opoku’s signature.
Also read: Pitso Mosimane reacts to criticisms from Al Ahly legends as boss focus on job
Asante Kotoko are aware of Zamalek’s interest in the 20-year old forward- though not from official inquiry procedure but through sources in the African media. It’s unrevealed Kotoko’s stance on the Opoku’s future but Zamalek may have to overcome few obstacles before they can finally land the Ghana International.
The 21-year old is less than a year into his 3-year contract at Kotoko and the Kumasi based club may try to keep hold of their prize asset at least til the end of this season or even beyond.
Kotoko’s willingness to keep Opoku together with any of the top stars like Fabio Gama, Latif Anabila, Patrick Asmah, Razak Abelora, Imoro Ibrahim and Christopher Nettey comes to the background that the Ghanaian side have a core goal of reaching top level in continental football, perhaps lift the Caf Champions League title that has eluded them since after beating Zamalek rivals Ahly to the ultimate in 1983.
Apart from Opoku’s short period spend that may prevent Kotoko from selling due to building a project for the Caf Champions League, another big factor that can primarily hamper Zamalek’s chances of landing the former Nkoranza Warriors forward is the proposed Kotoko asking price for the Ghanaian.
Should Kotoko even decide to do business with Zamalek at the end of this season, the fee that the Ghana Premier League outfit may quote is deal-collapsing amount.
Kotoko have reportedly placed around $500,000 to $800,000 on Kwame Opoku which the Egyptian Premier League leaders may consider over-valuation of a player who have had less than a year experience of top flight football (Ghanaian Premier League).
Zamalek’s bargaining power or going with the just-accept-and-pay fate can undress Kotoko’s proposed asking price obstacle for Kwame Opoku’s move but they could still be entangled with already-met-foreign quota as revealed by supervisor of football Kasem. “but we (Zamalek) will be facing a dilemma since our foreign players quota is complete.”
Zamalek had already exceeded their foreign quota and planned freeing up a space for new foreign additions with Moroccan International Mohamed Ounajem the candidate to be sacrificed.
Ounajem, 29, joined Zamalek in July 2019 in exchange deal from Wydad Athletic Club that saw Burkina Faso ace Kabongo Kasongo crossed over from Cairo to Casablanca. Ounajem has now completed a return to WAC after Zamalek announcing a loan deal with the Moroccan giants with option to buy.
WAC’s initial advances on Ounajem who struggled at Zamalek- scoring 3 goals and making 9 assists across all competitions- was rejected after the Moroccan side were reportedly wanted the forward on loan for free.
However, after WAC re-adjusting their initial offer and paid a reported fee of $100 000, they signed Ounajem in transfer deadline day. Meanwhile Zamalek have already signed Marwan Hamdi from Maqassa in four-and-half year deal for remainder of the season but that outcome will possibly not affect their move for Kwame Opoku.
The 24-year-old, who is known for his aerial prowess, has scored four goals in seven Egyptian Premier League appearances for Maqassa so far this season.
He netted Maqassa’s solitary goal with a glancing header in their 4-1 loss to Zamalek on last Thursday. Hamdi earned two international caps with the Egyptian national team in 2019
Onajeum’s move to WAC means Zamalek have the space they sold the Moroccan to create and with Zamalek failing to bring in a foreign man so far offers a green light for Kwame Opoku’s move and are set to begin talks for the Ghana Premier League forward ahead of the move to Cairo next season.
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