“Okaz” learned from its sources that the management of Al-Ahli Club is continuing its efforts to strengthen the defensive midfielder position during the current summer transfer window, as it has placed two new options on the negotiation table to sign one of them as a replacement for the French player Enzo Miu, as part of the plan to enhance the team’s squad before the start of the new sports season.

Sources indicated that the list includes the French player Kouadio “Manu” Kone, a midfielder from AS Roma, alongside the Senegalese player Pape Gueye, a player from Villarreal in Spain, as the management continues to study both profiles from various technical and financial aspects before making a final decision.

Kone, born on May 17, 2001, is considered one of the most prominent rising midfielders in European football. He stands 1.85 meters tall and is characterized by great energy, physical strength, and the ability to win balls, in addition to quality passing and connecting lines. He progressed through the Toulouse Academy in France before having a successful stint with Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany, after which he moved to AS Roma, where he quickly established himself as one of the key pillars in midfield.

On the international level, Kone participated with the French national team in the Paris 2024 Olympics and contributed to winning the silver medal, before catching the attention with the senior national team, benefiting from the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, securing a starting position in the "Les Bleus" lineup, and continuing to shine in the World Cup, which made him a target for several major European clubs.

As for the Senegalese Pape Gueye, whose full name is Pape Alassane Gueye, he is one of the most prominent defensive midfielders in African football in recent years, having established himself as a key pillar in the Senegal national team and Villarreal in Spain, thanks to his physical and technical abilities and his ability to win balls and lead the midfield.

Pape Gueye was born in the French city of Montreuil on January 24, 1999, and is 1.89 meters tall. He excels in the defensive midfielder position, where he is characterized by strength in tackles, tactical discipline, and the ability to connect between lines.

The player began his professional career with Le Havre in France, before moving to Olympique Marseille, then had a loan spell with Sevilla in Spain, before settling with Villarreal, with whom he continues to deliver distinguished performances in the Spanish league.

On the international level, Pape Gueye has become one of the key pillars in the Senegal national team lineup and contributed to winning the Africa Cup of Nations title with a notable performance. He also participated with the "Lions of Teranga" in the 2026 World Cup finals, continuing to solidify his position as one of the most prominent defensive midfielders in the black continent.

These moves come as part of the vision of the coaching staff led by German Matthias Jaissle, who aims to enhance the quality of the team with young elements capable of making a difference, in light of the local and continental challenges awaiting Al-Ahli in the upcoming season. The file is expected to be finalized in the coming days after completing the evaluation of the proposed options.

“Okaz” learned from its sources that the management of Al-Ahli Club is continuing its efforts to strengthen the defensive midfielder position during the current summer transfer window, as it has placed two new options on the negotiation table to sign one of them as a replacement for the French player Enzo Miu, as part of the plan to enhance the team’s squad before the start of the new sports season.

Sources indicated that the list includes the French player Kouadio “Manu” Kone, a midfielder from AS Roma, alongside the Senegalese player Abdoulaye Fayé, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen but is currently on loan to Lorient in France. The management is continuing to study both profiles from various technical and financial aspects before making a final decision.

Kone, born on May 17, 2001, is considered one of the most prominent rising midfielders in European football. He stands 1.85 meters tall and is characterized by great energy, physical strength, and the ability to win balls, in addition to quality passing and connecting lines. He progressed through the Toulouse Academy in France before having a successful stint with Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany, after which he moved to AS Roma, where he quickly established himself as one of the key pillars in midfield.

On the international level, Kone participated with the French national team in the Paris 2024 Olympics and contributed to winning the silver medal, before catching the attention with the senior national team, benefiting from the absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni, securing a starting position in the “Les Bleus” lineup, and continuing to shine in the World Cup, which made him a target for several major European clubs.

As for the Senegalese player Abdoulaye Fayé, he is 21 years old and excels in the center-back position. He began his career with the Senegalese Diambars Academy before moving to Hammarby in Sweden, and then to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, which decided to loan him to Lorient in France to provide him with more playing minutes and refine his experience in European leagues.