Tau’s Brighton move in top ten of most expensive deals from African clubs

Percy Tau’s move from Mamelodi Sundowns to English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion is ranked eighth in the top ten of the most expensive deals from African clubs.

The Bafana Bafana star is currently in the books of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, but on the rankings, his move to England remains highly ranked.

1. Malick Evouna

Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda reportedly paid R126 million [€ 7.2m] for Gabon striker Malick Evouna when they signed him from Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Evouna agreed to a three- and half-year contract, having spent just one season with the Cairo giants, whom he joined from Wydad Casablanca.

Prior to his move to China, the Gabonese international had scored 12 goals in 24 games for the African Red Devils in 2016.

2. Ayoub El Kaabi

In 2018 Morocco striker Ayoub El Kaabi was signed for R105 million [€ 6m] by Hebei China Fortune in the Chinese Super League.

The talented forward moved from RS Berkane after agreeing to pen a two-year deal with the Chinese club.

He joined the Chinese outfit following impressive exploits at the African Nations Championships.

In the tournament El Kaabi scored nine goals before being included in Morocco’s squad for the World Cup, which was staged in Russia

3. Ramadan Sobhi

Egyptian midfielder Ramadan Sobhi also completed an impressive move to Stoke City from Al Ahly.

Sobhi joined the English club as a 19-year-old for R88 million [€ 5m] following an impressive season with the Egyptian giants.

He won the league under ex-Tottenham coach Martin Jol in 2015. 

In Al Ahly colours, Sobhi scored a total of 17 goals in 71 appearances in just over two years.

4. Ahmed Hegazi

Egyptian defence stalwart Ahmed Hegazi joined West Bromwich Albion for R70 million [€ 4 m] in 2017. He joined the English club from Al Ahly.

During his stint in England, the gangly centre-back scored four goals in 104 appearances.

5. Youssef Maskani

Tunisian talisman Youssef Maskani’s move to Qatar side is fifth on the list after the club reportedly paid R75 million [ €4.3] to Esperance for his services.

6. Hichama Boudaoui 

Former Paradou AC midfielder is reported to have been sold for R70 million [€ 4m] to French top division side Nice.

Former Arsenal starman Patrick Viera was the one who orchestrated the deal as he highly regarded the Algerian player.

Boudaoui was pleased with the club’s vision and project and opted to sign for the club, which also had his compatriot, Youcef Atal.

7. Karim Konate

Ivory Coast striker Karim Konate’s reportedly joined Red Bull Salzburg from ASEC Mimosas for an amount said to be around R61 million [€ 3.5 m] transfer fee.

The 18-year-old joined the Austrian giants in July this year but started off in Salzburg’s reserve team FC Liefering in the second-tier league.

Before moving overseas, he had netted 13 goals for ASEC Mimosas in the league.

8. Percy Tau

In 2018 Brighton and Hove Albion splashed out around R55 million [€3.2m] to Mamelodi Sundowns as the Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau agreed on a four-year deal with the club.

Tau has since moved to Egyptian giants Al Ahly after failing to impact at the English Premier League outfit.

Before joining Al Ahly, he played in Belgium for Anderlecht and Club Brugge, making appearances in the UEFA Champions League for the latter.

9. Achraf Bencharki

Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia is reported to have signed Achraf Bencharki from Wydad Casablanca for R50 million [ € 3m].

Bencharki was a key part in Wydad’s CAF Champions League success.

10. Emr Zaki

Retired Egyptian International Amr Zaki’s move to Russia outfit Lokomotiv Moscow is still highly ranked, having been signed for R 50 Million [€ 3 m] in 2006.

Zaki is remembered for the goal that helped Egypt reach the Africa Cup of Nations of Nations that same year.

He scored an 80th-minute goal as the Pharaohs beat Senegal to storm in the semi-finals. And he was the first Egyptian to join a Russian top-flight league club.