Ibrahima Diaby has completed a €12m move from Cercle Bruges to Al Ahli, while Axel Kouame’s proposed transfer from AIK to Al Ettifaq has collapsed because of salary demands, according to reports.
The 19-year-old French-Guinean midfielder has signed a contract with Al Ahli until 2030, with an option for a further year. The fee could rise with bonuses.
Diaby joined Cercle Bruges as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and made an immediate impression in Belgium. He played 28 matches in all competitions during his only season at the club, scoring twice and providing two assists.
His departure makes him the second-most expensive sale in Cercle Bruges’ history.
Kouame deal falls through
Axel Kouame now appears likely to remain at AIK after Al Ettifaq called off a deal that had seemed close to completion.
AIK had accepted an offer worth 40m Swedish kroner, approximately €3.7m, for the player. However, according to Expressen, the transfer was cancelled after representatives of Kouame were judged to have made excessive salary demands.
The move would have taken the player to Saudi Arabia, but he is no longer expected to join Al Ettifaq.
At Djurgarden, 18-year-old midfielder Abdirahim Abdulle has signed a professional contract. The Sweden Under-18 international, who is of Somali origin, will spend the autumn gaining experience in Ettan Norra.
A dual-registration agreement with FC Jarfalla means Abdulle can play for the Swedish club this season while continuing to train with Djurgarden’s senior squad.
Yllan Okou has also decided to stay where he is, despite interest from England and elsewhere in Europe. The France-born Ivory Coast defender will continue with RAAL La Louviere after attracting attention from Amedspor and several clubs involved in European competition, according to Sacha Tavolieri.
Wolverhampton made a particularly serious approach and watched Okou in RAAL La Louviere’s match against Standard Liege in mid-August. A Spanish top-flight club, whose identity has not been disclosed, was also monitoring the central defender.
The deal with Wolverhampton ultimately failed because the Championship club could not create space in its defence. Okou rejected a late move and opted to continue his progress in the Belgian league.
Moves completed across Europe
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi joined Kas?mpasa from Crystal Palace on a season-long loan during the Turkish transfer window. The Super Lig club completed the move in the final hours of the market, but the agreement does not include an option to buy the 23-year-old.
Turkish-based agent Gorkem Demir told Footy-Africa that negotiations lasted 15 intense days. One of the main difficulties was persuading the Ghanaian forward’s representatives and family to accept the Istanbul club’s project.
Nigeria midfielder Samson Tijani has joined FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova on loan. The Slovakian club will have the option to sign him permanently for two seasons at the end of the campaign if certain conditions are met, according to Footy-Africa.
Tijani was released by Red Bull Salzburg before joining Dukla Prague in June 2025. He will now continue his career in the Slovak top flight.
Sani Suleiman has completed an €8m transfer from Leipzig to Al Qadsiah, German journalist Philipp Hinze reports. The deal gives Leipzig a net financial profit, despite the 20-year-old Nigeria winger never making an appearance for the club.
Suleiman has agreed an initial three-year contract with Al Qadsiah, with a further year available as an option. Both clubs are expected to confirm the transfer shortly.
Ghanaian striker Yassin Mohammed has moved to KAA La Gantoise on a season-long loan from Malmo FF, according to journalist Hassan Sas.
The 19-year-old, who developed at the WAFA Academy, is expected to benefit from regular football in the Belgian top flight. He impressed while on loan at BK Olympic during the 2025-26 season and is continuing his rapid development.
Loan switches and long-term contracts
Zambian international Edward Chilufya will spend the remainder of the season with Hapoel Jerusalem after leaving FC Midtjylland on loan. Hapoel Jerusalem finished 13th in Ligat Ha’Al last season.
Chilufya has been under contract with the Danish club since 2022 and has also previously spent time on loan at BK Hacken. He has made 116 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals and setting up 12 more.
FC Midtjylland sporting director Kristian Bach Bak believes those figures are not enough given the competition for places in attack and Chilufya’s limited playing time. The loan is intended to give the Zambia forward more minutes.
Gambian striker Modou Lamin Marong has joined Hungarian champions ETO FC Gyor on a permanent basis from Slovak second-tier club STK Samorin. He has signed a contract running until 2029 after an impressive season in Slovakia attracted interest from several recruiters.
His agent, Cherno Samba, told Footy-Africa that the move represented a logical step in Marong’s development. He highlighted the striker’s prolific record at Samorin and the status of ETO FC Gyor, a club accustomed to European competition.
Samba also described Marong as hard-working and humble despite the rapid rise of his career, and said the forward had the qualities of a traditional number nine capable of scoring regularly for his new club.
Houssem Mrezigue is expected to extend his stay with Dynamo Makhachkala, despite being linked with a move throughout the summer transfer window. His agent, Abderrahmane Zitouni, told Maghreb-Foot that a contract extension should be completed in the coming days.
The news comes as the Russian club reshapes its squad. Mohamed Azzi has left for CSKA Moscow, while Diaa Eddine Mechid returned to Najm Ben Aknoun after a brief spell.
Mrezigue, formerly of CR Belouizdad, has become an important part of Dynamo Makhachkala’s midfield and had attracted interest from several European clubs.
Vando Felix has left Vitoria Guimaraes SC for SC Uniao Torreense in Portugal’s second tier. The 22-year-old Guinea-Bissau international chose the move in search of greater playing time after facing strong competition for a place.
He has signed a four-year contract with the Liga Portugal 2 club, keeping him at SC Uniao Torreense until the summer of 2030.
Ivory Coast left-back Ismael Diallo has moved from Croatian club Hajduk Split to FC Vizela. The one-year contract contains an option for an additional season and gives the Portuguese second-tier side an experienced player for the left side of their defence.
Nigerian striker Miracle Okoroakpa has left Right 2 Win FC in Abia State to join SJK Seinajoki in Finland. His former club announced the move on social media.
Okoroakpa will initially play for SJK Akatemia, the club’s reserve team, before attempting to establish himself in the Finnish top flight. The arrangement is intended to help him adapt to European football and continue his development.