A former Al Ahly boss has revealed that he tried to sign Mohamed Salah while the Egypt legend was still plying his trade in Africa.
Prior to taking his career to Europe, the winger was a budding prospect plying his trade in the Egyptian Premier League with El Mokawloon.
Read: Al Ahly star given 'green light' for Saudi move
It was while playing at the Arab Contractors Stadium where Swiss giants FC Basel first took notice of his talents.
Basel would complete a deal believed to be worth €2.5 million (R49.5 million) for the pacey attacker, and Egypt's captain began what would become an illustrious journey in European football, seeing him being crowned a two-time CAF Men's Player of the Year, a three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, and an English and European champion.
However, things almost turned out very differently for Salah as he could have joined record African champions Al Ahly.
While playing for Mokawloon in 2013, then-Ahly boss Hossam El Badry tried to lure the young star to the Cairo International Stadium, but failed to make the transfer happen as his Egyptian side had alternative plans for the would-be superstar.
"El Mokawloon Al Arab Club always produces distinguished players, including Mohamed Salah, who is an example to be followed," El Badry told Yallakora.
"When I was the technical director of Al Ahly, I spoke with Mohamed Amer, who was the technical director of El Mokawloon Al Arab at the time, and Mohamed Ramadan, the football director, about adding Mohamed Salah to Al Ahly.
"But the club's management refused the matter and insisted that he play professionally abroad."