Mahmoud Salah joined Al Ahly during the summer transfer window.
Khalil on Salah's Ghazl El Mahalla roots
Walid Khalil, chairman of Ghazl El Mahalla's football company, told Modern channel: "Mahmoud Salah is one of the club's own and a graduate of Ghazl El Mahalla's youth sector, and there is more than one player following in his footsteps."
Zamalek negotiations were not completed
Khalil told Modern channel: "Zamalek asked to sign Mahmoud Salah, at the time when the former sporting director John Edward was present, but due to the circumstances of the transfer ban the negotiations were not completed"
Eldense offer and Al Ahly choice
Khalil told Modern channel: "Salah also received an offer from one of the Spanish clubs owned by the Argentine Lionel Messi (Eldense), which plays in the second division, and I held a video meeting with them, and everything was agreed, but the player himself received temptations from Al Ahly."
Khalil added: "Mahmoud expressed his desire to move to Al Ahly, despite our attempts to convince him that going professional in Spain was better, but in the end the player's wish settled his move to Al Ahly."
Last season and youth-team details
GOAL reported that Mahmoud Salah featured 28 times for Ghazl El Mahalla last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
GOAL reported that Mahmoud Salah is with the youth team under Wael Riad, who are preparing to compete in the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in February in Ghana.
GOAL reported that Mahmoud Salah was named the best player at the North Africa Under-20 Youth Championship held in Ismailia in October 2026.
