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Wessam Abou Ali Transfer from Columbus Crew to Celtic
The Turkish club Trabzonspor has also been linked with Ali, but Ali has offered his support to new Columbus Crew head coach Rydstrom and has also stated that his target is the MLS Golden Boot next season.
Wessam Abou Ali of Columbus Crew had been an option as a striker, but because Nancy has been sacked, the possibility of him bringing players from Columbus to Glasgow no longer exists.
Celtic are also interested in Columbus Crew number nine Wessam Abou Ali. The Daily Mail states that Nancy wants to add more goal-scoring ability to his squad and has identified his former Columbus Crew player, who was signed from Al Ahly for around £6m last summer, as a target. Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall described the Palestine international as being clinical. He is an out-and-out centre-forward who can come in to replace Johnny Kenny up front.
There have been links to attacking players, including Wessam Abou Ali. These links suggest goals are still a consideration for the manager at Celtic, although they are no longer the main focus.
Palestine manager Ihab Abu Jazar revealed he has almost certainly convinced Wessam Abou Ali to move to Celtic. In a TV interview in Qatar, Jazar stated that Abou Ali has a number of offers and that he advised him to move to Europe. Jazar said the player has received great interest from Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and that Al Ahly in Egypt wanted to bring him back, but that he told him to accept the offer from Celtic. Jazar also stated his belief that a move to Celtic would be the most likely and best outcome for him. Crew general manager Issa Tall denied that Celtic had made direct contact over Ali.
Columbus Crew's general manager, Issa Tall, has addressed speculation linking Wessam Abou Ali to a move to Celtic. When asked by US media whether Celtic had made contact regarding the recruitment of any players, amid speculation about Diego Rossi and Abou Ali, Tall replied that they had not made contact. The general manager also stated that Abou Ali did not sign for the club because of manager Wilfried Nancy, adding that the player did not know who Nancy was. Tall further said that Abou Ali came to the club for the Columbus Crew and needs to stay for that reason. Abou Ali's move to Columbus occurred in July for £5.6million.
Wessam Abou Ali is predicted to follow Wilfried Nancy to Celtic Park in 2026.
According to the Daily Record, Columbus Crew players Diego Rossi and Wessam Abou Ali are included as reported targets on a list being compiled by Celtic's incoming permanent manager.
Football Insider has repeated reports that incoming Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy could target Wessam Abou Ali from Columbus Crew. Abou Ali joined the Crew for €6.4 million in the summer, and a potential fee could be similar to the nearly €10 million spent on Adam Idah. The player has been injured for months and did not have a proper pre-season due to his transfer and the different schedules between Egypt and the US.
Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider reports that Celtic may consider bringing some of Wilfried Nancy's Columbus Crew players to Parkhead in January, with a transfer for striker Wessam Abou Ali being considered realistic.
Palestine striker Wessam Abou Ali has been linked with a move to Celtic, potentially following manager Wilfried Nancy from Columbus. The forward joined the MLS club in January from Al Ahly for a £6m fee, and Celtic may need to offer more than that amount. A report from Bold suggests the Glasgow club will have to make a significant financial commitment to sign the former Denmark youth international, as he holds a contract until 2027 which includes an option for an additional year.
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