Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjeh said he came close to joining Egyptian giants Al Ahly but the transfer was halted after his current club, Al Shamal of Qatar, failed to reach an agreement.
“I had a big offer from Al Ahly, and it was an honor to be linked with such a prestigious club,” Bounedjeh told SNTV. “There were talks between Al Ahly’s management and Al Shamal’s, but they couldn’t reach a deal. I was excited and happy at the opportunity, but Al Shamal wanted me to stay and be part of their project.”
Bounedjeh, 32, added that while he remains grateful, rumors surrounding the move are “just talk.”
A move to Al Ahly would have given the former Al Sadd forward a chance to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled to kick off in the United States in June.
Bounedjeh also spoke about the Algerian national team under new head coach Vladimir Petkovic and expressed optimism about Algeria’s prospects at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco.