Nejc Gradišar (foto: Getty Images)
Al Ahly are increasing pressure on Nejc Gradišar and are scouting Dinamo Zagreb striker Monsef Bakrar as a potential replacement.
The leadership of Al Ahly have turned their attention to a striker who is currently the second-highest scorer at Dinamo Zagreb, as they continue to reassess the future of Nejc Gradišar.
Almost exactly a year ago, Gradišar completed one of the most unusual and eye-catching transfers involving a Slovenian player. He moved from Fehérvár to Al Ahly, the biggest club in Africa, triggering a whirlwind of events that pushed the 23-year-old striker into the spotlight almost overnight. Goals came immediately, his social media following exploded into the hundreds of thousands, and in Cairo he even entered the conversation around the Slovenian national team. He also signed a contract few Slovenian players enjoy, even in leagues far more prestigious than Egypt’s.
The start was spectacular. What followed has been far less convincing. Goals gradually dried up and this season Gradišar has largely been reduced to an impact substitute, a situation that clearly does not align with his contract status within the squad. In the league, he has started just four matches so far.
Al Ahly would like to sell him, but that task is extremely complicated. Gradišar is under contract until 2029 and it is widely understood that he would struggle to secure similar financial terms anywhere in Europe. There has been interest from Austria and Hungary — Újpest are among the clubs monitoring the situation — yet a move would require significant financial sacrifices.
Instead, Al Ahly are applying pressure in other ways. His minutes continue to shrink, and the club are actively recruiting new forwards whose arrival would further reduce his standing within the team.
According to Italian insider Lorenzo Lepore, Al Ahly are once again active in the region and are closely tracking Monsef Bakrar, the Algerian striker who only joined Dinamo Zagreb at the start of the season. Bakrar has scored nine goals in all competitions and is Dinamo’s second-best scorer, yet he has started just ten matches and is not an automatic first-choice option.
Al Ahly have reportedly already made contact with Dinamo to explore the conditions of a potential deal. It would be a demanding operation for the Egyptian club: Bakrar’s market value is estimated at around €2 million, he is under contract until 2028, and he is a full Algeria international who featured at the most recent AFCON tournament.
With Al Ahly clearly preparing alternatives up front, the message to Gradišar is unmistakable. His status is under scrutiny, and the club are actively positioning themselves for a future that may no longer include him as a central figure.