Zamalek reject Shabab Al Ahli bid for Juan Bezerra after transfer talks

Zamalek have ended negotiations over the sale of Brazilian forward Juan Alvina Bezerra to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, despite receiving an offer worth up to $5m, including performance-related payments.

The Egyptian club had demanded an initial $6m payment in full, plus a further $1m in potential bonuses, before deciding to close the file and refuse to consider any more offers for the player during the current summer transfer window.

Details of the negotiations were published by the Zamalek-focused “Zamalekawy” application, which released the full correspondence between the two clubs.

Zamalek said they were prepared to consider Bezerra’s transfer after reviewing Shabab Al Ahli’s proposal of 28 July 2026, but only if a number of conditions were met.

The main terms were:

– An immediate payment of $6m when the transfer agreement was completed and the player’s international registration certificate was received. – Up to $1m in performance-related bonuses. – A $300,000 payment if Shabab Al Ahli won the AFC Champions League or another Asian club competition. – A further $300,000 if the club won the UAE Pro League. – $200,000 if Bezerra made at least 15 goal contributions in a single season, through goals or assists. – $100,000 if he was named the UAE Pro League’s player of the season. – $100,000 if he finished the season as Shabab Al Ahli’s top scorer. – A 20% share of any future transfer fee, whether the player left permanently or on loan.

Zamalek also sought first refusal to buy Bezerra back if Shabab Al Ahli subsequently attempted to transfer him to another Egyptian club. The Egyptian side would have 14 days from receiving written notification of the offer to exercise that right, under the same financial terms and conditions.

The club’s letter stated that acceptance of the conditions would not itself create a binding agreement. A final transfer contract would still have to be negotiated and completed by Zamalek Sporting Club, Shabab Al Ahli Football Company and the player.

The letter was described as a basis for further talks and remained subject to agreement on all legal, financial, regulatory and operational provisions.

Shabab Al Ahli replied with an offer of up to $4m, plus a possible $1m in additional payments. Zamalek rejected that proposal before issuing a formal statement confirming that it would no longer discuss Bezerra’s sale.

The negotiations came amid a dispute between Bezerra’s agent and Zamalek. According to FilGoal, communication between the player and club officials had broken down because of a disagreement over the agent’s outstanding commission.

Zamalek had completed payment of Bezerra’s own dues, as well as money owed to his former club, but his agent was seeking the percentage he believed was payable after the transfer was completed.

Bezerra, Abdullah El Said and Chico Banza did not join Zamalek’s pre-season camp in the New Capital. The preparations are being led by head coach Mo’tamed Gamal.

Zamalek board member Hussein El-Sayed said the club would impose its internal disciplinary regulations on any player who failed to report for the camp, insisting that no-one would be treated differently.

“Zamalek’s rights will not be lost,” he said, adding that the club would not be influenced by social-media discussion or pressure from outside parties.

El-Sayed said the board was managing several important matters “calmly and wisely”, and that periods of silence did not mean the club was inactive. He also described reports about players leaving or submitting complaints as speculation and rumours in the absence of official decisions.

He told Zamalek supporters that the outstanding issues would be resolved in the coming days, stressing that the club was capable of overcoming its current difficulties.

Bezerra criticises Zamalek

Bezerra had issued a statement to Zamalek supporters before the club’s final decision, claiming that the club had failed to honour promises made to him and his father regarding a move at the end of the season.

“Today I want to speak directly to the Zamalek fans, without my media team or lawyer,” he said.

The Brazilian joined Zamalek in the second half of 2025 and said he developed a strong connection with the supporters, a feeling he had not experienced since leaving Vasco da Gama.

He said he had rejected important offers at the end of last year because he did not want to leave the team or let the fans down. His stated ambition had been to help Zamalek win the league title after four years, which he said they achieved together without regret.

“More than once, the club promised me and my father that they would sell me and set a transfer price,” Bezerra said.

“The offer did arrive, and it would have made me the most expensive signing in the club’s history, but the board did not honour its promise.”

Bezerra said this was not the first time agreements had not been respected, but added that he would not accept the situation on this occasion. He also argued that the club needed the transfer income to improve its financial position.

“I was portrayed as the one at fault, but my conscience is clear because I did everything correctly,” he said.

Zamalek rejected his version of events, saying no promise to sell him at the end of the season had been made by the club president or any board member. The club asked Bezerra to identify who had allegedly made such a commitment.

Zamalek also instructed him to return to Cairo and resume training immediately. He remains under contract for three more seasons, and the club said it would take all measures permitted under his contract and its regulations.

The club has begun contacting Bezerra’s agent to settle the outstanding payment dispute. It has also formally notified the player of the start date for pre-season training.

Bezerra has made 44 appearances for Zamalek in all competitions, scoring eight goals and creating 12 more. He helped the club win the Egyptian Premier League last season, contributing two goals and three assists in the competition.