Zamalek resist Shabab Al Ahli move for Juan Pizero amid agent payment dispute

Zamalek have received an offer from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai to sign Brazilian winger Juan Pizero but are reluctant to allow him to leave while a financial dispute with his agent remains unresolved, a club source has told FilGoal.com.

The Cairo club confirmed that the proposal from the UAE side has been formally lodged, but insisted that losing the 24-year-old at this stage would be highly unlikely.

“We have received an offer from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai to sign Juan Pizero, but it is difficult to let the player go,” the Zamalek source said.

The official added that the immediate priority is to resolve outstanding financial issues with the player’s representative before any decision is taken on his future.

“We are currently trying to solve the issue of his agent’s dues before taking any decision related to his future,” the source explained.

Agent row stalls communication

Relations between Zamalek and Pizero’s camp have been strained in recent days due to a dispute over payments owed to the Brazilian’s agent.

The disagreement has led to a breakdown in communication between the parties, even as the club prepares to begin pre-season for the new campaign.

FilGoal.com has learned that Pizero has not responded to calls from Zamalek officials for a week because of the row over his agent’s outstanding commission.

The problem dates back to the completion of Pizero’s transfer, when Zamalek paid all sums due to the player himself and to his former club. After those payments were settled, his agent demanded his agreed share of the deal.

Zamalek have since reopened talks with the agent in an attempt to reach a settlement and put an end to the dispute, with the club keen to “close the file completely” once an agreement is found.

Pizero notified of pre-season plans

Despite the off-field tension, Zamalek’s board has formally informed Pizero of the start date for the club’s preparations for the 2026-2027 season and instructed him to report for training as scheduled.

The forward has been a regular contributor since joining the White Knights, making 44 appearances in all competitions. Over those matches he has scored eight goals and provided 12 assists.

Last season he helped Zamalek win the Egyptian Premier League title, finding the net twice and setting up three more goals in the league campaign.

Zamalek set pre-season schedule

Zamalek have announced that the first-team training camp will begin on Friday 31 July as the club step up their preparations for the new season.

Head coach Moatamed Gamal has notified his players of the timetable for medical examinations, which will take place across Thursday and the following Saturday.

The club said the checks are part of a broader plan put in place by the technical staff to ensure that all players are fully ready from both a medical and physical perspective before the start of full training for the 2026-2027 season.