Hossam Abdel Meguid has no plans to return to Egypt, says agent

Hossam Abdel Meguid’s agent says the Ludogorets defender has no intention of returning to Egypt and has not been officially informed of any deduction from money owed to him by former club Zamalek.

Samer Salama also said Zamalek had not responded to a notification concerning the player’s outstanding payments, while a source at the club has denied that Abdel Meguid is owed any overdue money.

“Zamalek have not officially informed us of any deduction from Hossam Abdel Meguid’s dues, as has been reported,” Salama told Modern channel.

He said the player’s representatives had sent a notification about the unpaid amount, rather than a formal warning.

“We were expecting him to receive his dues two weeks ago, but when we asked why the outstanding payments had not been sent, we received no response,” Salama added.

Under the process followed by the player’s representatives, the notification gives Zamalek 30 days to settle the amount before any legal action can be taken if the payment remains outstanding.

Salama said Abdel Meguid was still owed part of his previous season’s payments, despite the player receiving 10% of the amount after asking the club about the delay.

“Hossam did not receive part of his previous season’s dues, unlike the other players,” he said. “The club told him he would receive the outstanding money after the value of his transfer from Ludogorets to Zamalek arrived.

“After that, the club transferred only 10% of his dues. When we asked for the remainder, we were told that all outstanding payments would be made after Bezera was sold. Everyone received 100% of their dues except Hossam, who received only 70%.”

The remaining 30% is worth approximately 700,000 Egyptian pounds, according to Salama.

He also rejected any suggestion that Abdel Meguid had agreed to waive the unpaid sum when he left Zamalek.

“There is no clause in Hossam’s contract stating that he would give up the rest of his dues when he left Zamalek,” Salama said. “The fact that he received part of his previous payments proves that. We respect that because the club recognised the player’s efforts after he played in 90% of the team’s matches last season.”

Abdel Meguid moved from Zamalek to Ludogorets at the beginning of the current season and has made four appearances for the Bulgarian club so far.

Salama said the defender had quickly settled into his new team and had become a regular starter. That form, he added, had also been reflected in Abdel Meguid starting Egypt’s last three matches.

“There is no intention for Hossam to return to Egypt,” Salama said. “The player is progressing well, has become a starter and adapted quickly to the team.”

He also said he had received no official contact from Al Ahly, although any approach would be made through agents to establish the representative’s or player’s position.

Abdel Meguid was included in Egypt’s squad for matches during the current international break.