The head of Zamalek’s football committee, Ayman Younis, explains why the club haven’t signed Ahmed El-Sheikh or Aly Ghazal this transfer window.
El-Sheikh left Al Ahly by mutual consent last week and was heavily linked with a move to their arch-rivals Zamalek, with several sources even confirming that he had actually signed for the Whites.
However, the 28-year-old was announced as a Pyramids FC player on Sunday night.
He is the second player to have signed for Zamalek this transfer window along with Alexander Jakobsen before the club decided to go another way.
Younis explained why the club decided not to sign the duo during an interview on Zamalek TV.
READ: Zamalek to ditch move for Al Ahly’s Ahmed El-Sheikh
“After the Tala’a El-Gaish game we showed Jaime Pachecho all the shortlisted players and we waited for his answer to see if he wants to sign any of them,” said Younis.
“Pacheco told us that he might want to sign Ahmed El-Sheikh and we told the board, who refused. We informed Pacheco about the decision and that was the end of it.
“Pacheco told us that he wanted Amir Adel [Alexander Jakobsen] to come and train with us to prepare him and see him in live-action before registering him in the squad in the upcoming winter transfer window.
READ: Zamalek reveal why they opted against signing Alexander Jakobsen
“His agent refused to do so and therefore we backed off from the deal. So that was the coaching staff’s decision,” he added.
Younis then said that they have certain standards when it comes to signing players, while discussing the possibility of signing ENPPI defender Osama Galal.
“Our goal is to compete for the league from the get go and we already have great players. And we shouldn’t sign any players with a lower level,” Younis explained
“Not right now, we will see if we can sign him [Osama Galal] in the future,” he continued.
Smouha’s newest signing, Aly Ghazal, was also linked with a move to Zamalek as it is his preferred destination, but the move never came to fruition.
“Regarding the idea of signing Aly Ghazal, we would’ve done it by buying him from Smouha, if they had agreed to do so. Because he came to Egypt to sign for another club and not Zamalek,” Younes added.
READ: Agent provides update on Ferjani Sassi future with Zamalek
“Ferjani Sassi told me that he loves the Zamalek fans. He also loves Egypt and his family is very happy here and he wants to continue his journey with the White Castle,” he concluded.
Zamalek will enter the new season, having only completed one signing, namely Tunisian defender Hamza Mathlouthi on a free transfer from CS Sfaxien.
