Sporting refuse to sell Yassin Chaykho amid interest from Al Ahly, Zamalek and Al Ittihad Alexandria

Sporting Alexandria have ruled out letting basketball guard Yassin Chaykho leave the club this summer, despite approaches from three of Egypt’s biggest teams, including Al Ahly and Zamalek.

A senior source at the Alexandria club confirmed that Al Ahly, Zamalek and Al Ittihad Alexandria have all made moves to sign the Egyptian international, but insisted Sporting’s technical staff, led by coach Ahmed Marei, are determined to keep hold of him.

The official told FilGoal.com that the three clubs had submitted “verbal requests” to open talks over a transfer, yet Sporting’s position remains firm because of Chaykho’s importance to the team.

According to the source, Sporting see the player as a key component of their squad and believe his on-court influence outweighs any financial incentive to sell at this stage.

The official explained that financial considerations would not be the only factor in any decision regarding Chaykho’s future and pointed out that the 25-year-old recently committed to a new long-term deal with the club.

(Age not specified in the original article.)

He said Sporting had already secured their asset by extending Chaykho’s contract for three more seasons in an agreement reached two months ago, strengthening the club’s hand in the face of mounting interest.

Al Ittihad confirm negotiations

While Sporting are resisting a sale, Al Ittihad Alexandria have gone public with their pursuit of the guard, with club president Mohamed Ahmed Salama confirming direct talks are under way.

Salama told FilGoal.com: “We are negotiating with Sporting to sign their playmaker Yassin Chaykho to be the team’s third signing for the new season.”

He explained that Al Ittihad have already strengthened their roster with two additions and view Chaykho as the next step in their recruitment drive.

The president said the club had completed the signing of Ahmed Reyhan from Sporting and brought in Malek Yasser, the former Al Ahly player, ahead of the coming campaign.

Salama added that Al Ittihad are prepared to meet the financial requirements for registering Chaykho should Sporting eventually agree to sell.

“In the event the deal is completed, Al Ittihad Alexandria will pay 2.5 million Egyptian pounds to the Basketball Federation in order to register the player in the team’s list,” he said.

That fee would go directly to the Egyptian Basketball Federation as part of the official registration process, rather than to Sporting, and would be separate from any transfer arrangement between the clubs.

International pedigree

Chaykho’s status has been enhanced by his recent involvement with the Egypt national team, where he has been part of the squad under Spanish head coach Augusti Bosch.

He is considered one of the notable figures in the current group of internationals, having featured for Egypt over the recent period as Bosch reshapes the national side.

Sporting view that international experience as another reason to retain him, believing his development with the national team can further benefit the club domestically.

With multiple suitors circling and Al Ittihad publicly pushing for a deal, the situation underlines Chaykho’s growing reputation in Egyptian basketball – but, for now, Sporting insist they are not prepared to lose one of their most important players.