Pyramids deny formal bid for Assad Al-Hamlawi as South African striker emerges as priority target

Pyramids have insisted they have not submitted an official offer for Palestinian forward Assad Al-Hamlawi, with a South Africa-based striker currently viewed as the most likely attacking signing for the Egyptian club.

Reports in Romania had claimed Pyramids tabled a €5m bid for Al-Hamlawi, who plays for CS Universitatea Craiova, but a club source has told FilGoal.com that no formal proposal has been made.

“Assad Al-Hamlawi was offered to us, but we did not make any official offer to sign him,” the Pyramids source said. “The striker who is closest to strengthening the team’s attack is from South Africa.”

The clarification comes amid an ongoing search by Pyramids for a new centre-forward following the departure of Congolese top scorer Fiston Mayele.

South African options on the table

South African outlet SABC Sport previously reported that forwards Peter Shalulile and Tshegofatso Mabasa had been offered to Pyramids in the wake of Rolani Mokwena’s appointment as head coach.

According to that report, the pair were proposed as potential options to bolster the attack after Mokwena took charge, with the club looking to fill the void left by Mayele’s exit.

The Pyramids source did not specify which South African-based striker is currently leading the shortlist but indicated that the club’s recruitment focus is directed towards that market rather than a move for Al-Hamlawi at this stage.

Al-Hamlawi’s rise in Romania

Al-Hamlawi, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to Egyptian football, has enhanced his reputation since leaving Poland for Romania.

He joined Universitatea Craiova in the summer of 2025 from Polish side Slask Wrocław and made an immediate impact, quickly adapting to his new surroundings and establishing himself as one of the team’s key attacking options.

In his first season in Romania, Al-Hamlawi scored 16 goals in all competitions. That total included 11 goals in 33 league appearances, making him Craiova’s top scorer in the domestic championship.

Previous links with Al Ahly

Before his move to Romania, Al-Hamlawi had been strongly associated with a transfer to Al Ahly. However, talks over that proposed deal ultimately broke down and the move did not materialise.

Those earlier links, combined with his form in the Romanian league, have ensured the forward continues to attract interest and speculation around his next step.

For now, though, Pyramids are distancing themselves from suggestions of a concrete bid for the Palestinian international, while signalling that their immediate efforts to reinforce the attack are focused on a South African-based striker as Rolani Mokwena reshapes his squad.