El Ahly attacking midfielder Afsha looks set to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Batin on loan, according to reports.

It was claimed last week that Celtic had been in touch with the agents of the Egyptian international but it now seems certain that he won’t be moving to Scotland.

El Ahly had initially slapped a £4m price tag on Afsha but, after the 26-year-old handed in a transfer request, a loan offer from Al Batin (worth approximately £750,000) was accepted.

You do get the sense that the player’s representatives may have been using the Hoops to get a better offer for their client, but there could have been legitimate interest in the playmaker initially.

Whether Afsha was ever a priority target, though, it is unlikely. After recruiting a centre-half and a right-back, manager Ange Postecoglous is believed to have turned his sights towards signing a striker, as the club anticipate the possible departure of Giorgos Giakoumakis.