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Devine says he’d love to sign Ben Mohamed if the chance arose
The Tunisia international has been training with the Dublin club recently.
Bohemians manager Declan Devine says he’d love to sign Aymen Ben Mohamed but suggests that the defender is looking abroad for his next permanent club.
The Tunisian international previously had spells with Bohs, as well as UCD and Longford Town in the League of Ireland, before going on to win two CAF Champions League medals with Espérance de Tunis.
In an injury disrupted career, the Tunisia international has also played in France with Le Havre and Denizlispor in Turkey.
There’s a short summer break in June, while League of Ireland clubs can begin to sign players again in July, and Devine admits that he wants to strengthen his playing squad.
But Ben Mohamed, for now, isn’t in his plans.
“We have a list of players in certain positions who would make us better,” Devine said on this weekend’s Q102 Weekend Sports Podcast.
“It all depends on circumstances. We’ve three or four on loan and we have to see what their parent clubs will say. If they don’t say we certainly have to replace them.
“We’d sign Aymen tomorrow morning. His goals at the minute are to try to achieve a contract in France and that shows the quality of the player. He’s an international who has won an African Champions League.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air around training. Certainly we’ll ask a question if nothing materialises [with other clubs] but he’s not on our radar at the minute.”
Last night’s scoreless draw with Shelbourne means it’s one win in six for Bohs, who have slipped to third, four points off leaders Derry City.
Devine says that for a club that finished sixth last season, it’s going to take time to build a squad that can last the 36 games in a title race.
“We understand that you can’t just wave a magic wand from the 6th of November last year when we finished sixth and expect to challenge at the top of the table with one window.
“We’re always continuing to build, we’re always continuing to make this place better. I’m delighted with the players we have – it’s no slight on them – but we have to continue to strive to get better and have a bit more about us.”