Percy Tau has been making headlines as fans have been wondering if he has really made a move to Al Ahly.
Whilst no official announcement has been made yet at time of publishing, rumors strongly suggest the move is as good as done.
Firstly, in a video circulating on social media Percy Tau is spotted in Al Ahly colours kicking a ball, whilst being videoed.
Al Ahly preparing to announce Percy Tau… pic.twitter.com/PQtYrKn8vN
— Pro Philani (@prophilani) August 26, 2021
Second, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos mistakenly confirmed the move, after announcing his squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Tau is made the squad which was announced by Broos. However, following the announcement the head coach expressed concern that Percy Tau was not getting enough playing time at Brighton in England.
Broos then went on to say that he heard good news that Percy Tau would be re-united with former coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, Pitso Mosimane, at Al Ahly.
What strengthened the rumors is that Mosimane is no stranger to Tau as he coached him before at Mamelodi Sundowns. Aslo, it is not secret that the two of them share a special relationship after they gained plenty of success working together.
In addition, Tau’s Twitter profile no longer says he’s a Brighton player! The forward’s profile previously stated he was a Brighton & Hove Albion player.
To top of the rumors, Wikipedia is already showing him as an Al Ahly player. His profiles even reveal his shirt number as 22!
How much has been paid for Percy Tau?
KickOff.com reports that a deal in the region of €1.8-million (R31.2m) was agreed upon which will be structured over three separate payments for the player who would have been available to sign a pre-contract with potential suitors in January.
A payment of €600,000 (R10.5m) was already made to secure his services from the English top-flight outfit while the rest is said to have been agreed to be paid over the next two seasons, reports KickOff.com
Percy Tau’s time in Europe
Percy Tau joined Brighton in 2018 but, due to work-permit complications, was loaned out to Belgian side Union SG with whom he won the Proximus League Player of the Season award.
The following season, he secured a loan move to Club Brugge, who he represented in the UEFA Champions League, in another fine season. During his short spell at Club Brugge, he won a league winners’ medal.
For the third season running, Tau was loaned to Anderlecht for the 2020/21 campaign. However, the 27-year-old was recalled by Brighton in January, as work permit regulations changed following Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Tau made his debut for Brighton in the FA Cup, and started an English Premier League game against Manchester City.
Although he seemed to make a bright start at Brighton, his game time was limited, and that did not look likely to change in the new campaign.
The move should also ensure that Tau gets far more game time this season, which will also please Bafana coach Broos, who had previously backed a move for Tau away from Brighton.