Ahmed Fattouh receives offers from Al Fateh and Konyaspor, says agent

Ahmed Fattouh has received offers from Saudi Arabian side Al Fateh and Turkish club Konyaspor, but Zamalek rejected the possibility of his departure after the start of the Egyptian Premier League, according to his agent Samir Salah.

Fattouh is entering the final season of his contract with Zamalek, and Salah also said there had been no negotiations with either Al Ahly or Pyramids FC over a possible move for the Egypt international.

Speaking on MBC Masr, Salah explained why the 26-year-old defender had missed Zamalek’s recent fixtures.

“Fattouh missed Zamalek’s last two matches because he had a cold, and after returning to training he suffered a minor injury,” he said.

“The team doctor preferred to rest him, so he will miss the match against Abu Qir Fertilizers and will be available for the next game.”

Salah said the offers for Fattouh arrived during the World Cup, with Zamalek setting its asking price at $2m.

“During the World Cup, Fattouh received two offers from Al Fateh of Saudi Arabia and Konyaspor of Turkey, and Zamalek asked for $2m,” he said.

“Konyaspor offered $800,000, but the club closed the door on Fattouh’s departure because the league had started.”

Fattouh has also been linked with discussions over a new contract at Zamalek, with reports that he had requested 50m Egyptian pounds to renew his deal. Salah said a planned meeting with John Edward, who was involved with the club, did not take place after Edward left, and that no Zamalek official had contacted the player’s representatives since then.

“It was supposed to be a meeting with John Edward, but it did not happen because of his departure, and no official at Zamalek has contacted us since then,” Salah said.

The agent added that Fattouh’s preference would be to continue his career abroad if the right opportunity emerged, although he could remain with Zamalek.

“We hope Fattouh has a professional experience in Europe, and if that does not happen, he will continue his career with Zamalek,” Salah said.

He also dismissed suggestions that the player had been the subject of talks with either of Zamalek’s domestic rivals.

“There have been no negotiations from Al Ahly or Pyramids FC to sign Fattouh,” he added.

Fattouh has recently been used in midfield for Zamalek, while Moroccan defender Mahmoud Bentayg has occupied the left-back position.

Zamalek are preparing to face Abu Qir Fertilizers at Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday evening. Fattouh will not feature in that match because of the minor injury suffered after his return to training, but his agent expects him to be involved in the following fixture.