Town’s forgotten £5m man Sobhi dreams of a European adventure
HE cost Town £5m and has never started a game for the club, so the future is definitely uncertain for forgotten winger Ramadan Sobhi.
The 23-year-old is contracted to the John Smith’s Stadium until the end of next season but remains on a long-term loan with boyhood club Al Ahly in his native Egypt.
Ramadan hasn’t had the best of luck with injury either this season, being sidelined with a severe muscle complaint, but he was hoping to return to action with Al Ahly and play for his country’s Under-23s at the Tokyo Olympics, which have now been postponed.
The last of his Town substitute appearances was in a 1-0 home defeat by Newcastle United in December 2018 and, later that month, David Wagner sent him on a six-month loan to Al Ahly for a reported fee of £800,000.
That loan was extended for this season and Ramadan admits he doesn’t know if he will return to Town, although he would eventually like to resume his career in Europe.
“There isn’t any update with my contract at Al Ahly,” said Ramadan, whose terms at Town include the club option of adding a further 12 months.
“My loan with the team will end on June 30 but it could be extended in order to finish the Egyptian League and the CAF Champions League with the team.
“I am not the type of person who likes to play on the emotions of the fans, I really want to continue with Al Ahly.
“However, playing abroad is my number one priority. My dream is to play in Europe and become successful.”
It’s far from an ideal situation for the player or for Town, who will be keen to maximise any financial outcome should he move on either permanently or for another loan.
Speaking to On Time Sports, Ramadan indicated he is keeping an open mind about the future – with the Terriers or anyone else.
“I have not yet made a decision about my future,” he said.
“And I will not talk about it until the end of the season, especially in this period when we do not know when activities will resume.
“I have no idea yet if I have to go back to Huddersfield or to other destinations.”