Percy Tau will likely not be at Al Ahly by the time the Egyptian giants take on Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League on December 7.
Tau was a second half substitute as the Cairo Red Devils started their Champions League group campaign with a 4-2 win over Stade d'Abidjan, in what was a rare appearance this season, but he appears to be more out that in, with only the terms of his departure proving to be a stumbling block.
Al Ahy have reportedly proposed to pay Tau $300,000 (R4.5 million) and terminate his contract in January but the forward, believed to be on $1.2 million (R18 million) per year, is insisting on the full $600,000 (R9 million) that is remaining on his contract before he can leave early.
If not, the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns winger is ready to stay on until June and leave as a free agent, a prospect that Al Ahly cannot fathom as they are looking to offload him much earlier and get in a replacement.
Will Tau finally yield to Al Ahly’s pressure?
This has led to a standoff with both parties sticking to their guns and it appears like the saga is far from over.
Tau has been used sparingly by coach Marcell Koller, managing just 24 minutes in three Egyptian Premier League games, and is also reported to have been restricted from media interviews, but the frustration looks not to have shaken him.
It has also seen him lose his spot in the national team with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos insisting he must first resolve his club situation before a return can be considered.
As the saga plays out, Tau looks like he will either watch on away from the club or on the bench when Al Ahly play their next Champions League match in his country against Pirates in December.
