Hossam Abdel Meguid committed to Europe despite Thomas Reis’ Ludogorets exit

Hossam Abdel Meguid’s future at Ludogorets Razgrad will not be affected by Thomas Reis leaving the Bulgarian club to become manager of Turkish side Trabzonspor, according to the defender’s agent.

Samer Salama said the Egypt international remains determined to continue his career in Europe and sees Ludogorets as an important step towards a move to one of the continent’s bigger clubs.

“Thomas Reis leaving Ludogorets to coach Trabzonspor has nothing to do with Hossam Abdel Meguid’s future,” Salama told FilGoal.com. “The player wants to remain in Europe and considers the Bulgarian club a good opportunity to move to one of the major European clubs in the future.”

Reports had suggested Ludogorets could allow the defender to leave during the winter transfer window for a minimum fee of 2 million euros.

Salama rejected that figure, saying: “It is impossible for Ludogorets to have set 2 million euros for Hossam’s departure, considering the value of the player’s transfer from Zamalek to the Bulgarian club, the sell-on percentage and some conditions that I do not want to disclose out of respect for both clubs.”

He added that Abdel Meguid had no desire to return to the Egyptian Premier League.

Abdel Meguid joined Ludogorets from Zamalek during the summer transfer window for 1.5 million euros, with his former club also entitled to a percentage of any future sale.

No official contact from Al Ahly

Salama also dismissed reports linking the player with Al Ahly, saying he had not been approached by anyone officially from the club.

“No official official from Al Ahly has contacted me. The matter is limited to some players’ agents sounding out my opinion, without any official capacity,” he said.

Al Ahly are looking to strengthen their defence after Omar El-Gazar suffered a cruciate ligament injury which has brought his season to an end.

Salama insisted financial considerations were not driving Abdel Meguid’s decisions, pointing to an offer from the United Arab Emirates and the possibility of waiting until the end of the season to move as a free agent.

“Hossam Abdel Meguid is not looking for money,” he said. “The evidence is that he had an attractive offer from the UAE, and he could also have waited until the end of the season, moved for free and received the full value of the transfer.”

The agent also confirmed that Abdel Meguid is due to arrive in Cairo on 20 September to join the Egypt squad’s training camp.

The nine overseas-based players are scheduled to report to the camp over 21 and 22 September.

Egypt will face Angola and South Sudan in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying before playing South Africa in a friendly.

Their match against Angola is scheduled for Friday, 25 September at Cairo Stadium. Egypt will then play South Sudan on 29 September at 15:00 Cairo time, before meeting South Africa in a friendly on 4 October.