At least four clubs are reportedly interested in signing Percy Tau, including England’s newly-promoted side, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley. But here’s why it might not happen in 2023.
South African sensation tipped for Player of the Season Award
Al Ahly star Percy Tau is enjoying his football once again after recovering from multiple injury woes and bouncing back to form to set alight his club career.
The South African winger has been a crucial part of Marcel Koller’s squad this season, scoring five goals and providing as many assists to help the Egyptian giants win their 11th CAF Champions League title.
Since joining Al Ahly, Tau has been incredible – winning all domestic titles on offer- two Egyptian Super Cups, and the Egypt Cup.
In his most recent game, Tau snatched the Man of the Match award after shining in their clash against Al-Ittihad on Saturday, where they won by a comfortable 2-0 to extended their lead at the summit of the Egyptian Premier League by eight points and move closer towards securing another Egyptian Premier League title.
🇿🇦 Percy Tau produced another MOTM display as Al Ahly beat Al Ittihad 2-0.
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) July 8, 2023
Ali Maâloul and Kahraba scored for the Red Devils as they moved one step closer to the title.#AfricanFootball #YallaYaAhly pic.twitter.com/aEAK23Gvct
Big names racing to sign Lion of Judah
As an unsurprising result, the former Brighton and Hove Albion player has now been linked with a number of European and Saudi-based clubs, including a reunion with former coach Vincent Kompany at newly promoted Premier League side Burnley, who he had previously worked under in the Belgian Pro League at Anderlecht.
Denmark’s Brondy IF, Saudi’s Al Hilal, Belgium’s Anderlecht are all understood to be interested in Tau, and will race Burnley for the South African’s signature. The Witbank-born player has also been linked with Eredivisie side FC Utrecht who are reported to be serious about signing Tau.
But as mentioned before; the Lion of Judah has been vital to the Red Eagles and their success this season, and I expect the club management to do everything in their power to hold on to him.
The 29-year-old has one more year remaining on his contract, but I anticipate that Al Ahly will offer him an extension in efforts to tie him down longer.
Al Ahly and Bafana Bafana star forward Percy Tau is being linked with a return to the Premier League following an impressive 2022/23 season for the Egyptian side.
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 9, 2023
Read more 👇🏽 https://t.co/wC4JmMAiZK#SABCSportFootball
Al Ahly expected to fight to keep Tau
While I would be more than happy to see Tau complete a move overseas, I am inclined to think its unlikely to happen in 2023, with the Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in January.
This is usually a crucial period in European club football, and teams want to hold on to all their impact players for what is the second phase of the campaign.
Tau’s biggest setbacks in his career have all be attributed to a spate of injuries in crucial parts of the football season, and playing or not playing in the next AFCON could be a serious decision for him.
