Revealed: Club that Dons attacking star Ayoub Assal is set to join

The South London Press can reveal that AFC Wimbledon’s Ayoub Assal is in advanced negotiations with Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah.

Al-Wakrah – managed by former Espanyol boss Tintin Marquez – are third in the league table and seven points off table-toppers Al-Arabi. They recently signed former Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest midfielder Adlene Guedioura.

Our paper understands that the Dons will receive north of £1million – a club record in the AFC Wimbledon era – after the 20-year-old’s buy-out clause was triggered on Wednesday. 

Assal, who scored 10 goals and registered five assists in all competitions this season under Johnnie Jackson, had not featured for the South Londoners since the start of the January window.

The forward had 18 months left to go on his current deal, which he signed at the start of the 2021-22 season.

Former England U20 trainee Assal made his first-team league debut under head coach Mark Robinson in March 2021 and has made 97 appearances in all competitions for the Dons.

A statement released by the Dons on Wednesday evening said:  “Whilst we did not intend to sell Ayoub in this transfer window, the buying club, based in the Middle East, have offered an amount that triggers a ‘buy out’ clause in his contract.

“Ayoub has been permitted to hold talks with the club and subject to contracts being agreed, it is likely that a deal will be completed shortly.

“We wish Ayoub well and we will update you further as things progress.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD