Zamalek say they remain firm over Juan Bezera amid reports of UAE move

Zamalek say they have given Brazilian winger Juan Bezera no permission to leave the club and insist they know nothing about reports that he has travelled to the United Arab Emirates to sign for Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.

Reports had suggested Bezera was heading to Dubai to complete a move to Shabab Al Ahli, but Zamalek said the player remains under contract and must return to training.

In a statement issued through the club’s media centre, Zamalek said: “Zamalek confirms that it has not given Brazilian Juan Bezera, the first-team winger, permission to move to any other club. The club also stresses that it knows nothing about reports circulating in recent hours regarding the possibility of the player travelling to the United Arab Emirates to sign for one of the clubs there.”

The Egyptian club added: “Zamalek insists on its officially announced position since the player stopped attending training at the beginning of this month. There will be no compromise on the club’s rights and no retreat from the necessity of the player returning to the team and taking part in training.”

Bezera’s contract with Zamalek runs for another three seasons. The club also reiterated that his return and participation in training remained important.

Zamalek had previously announced that it was closing the door on any offers for Bezera during the current summer transfer window.

Dispute over agent’s fees

The latest developments follow a financial dispute between Bezera’s agent and Zamalek, which has led to a breakdown in communication between the two sides in recent days.

Bezera reportedly ignored calls from Zamalek officials because of a disagreement over money owed to his representative. The dispute began after Zamalek completed payment of all outstanding amounts due to the player and his former club, while the agent requested the commission he believed was owed after the transfer had been completed.

Bezera was one of three players who failed to join Zamalek’s pre-season camp in the New Administrative Capital. The other absentees were Abdullah El Said and Chico Banza.

Zamalek began preparations for the new season under manager Moataz Gamal. Following the trio’s absence, club board member Hussein El Sayed issued a statement through Zamalek’s media centre.

El Sayed said the board placed the interests of the club above everything else and would make decisions for the benefit of the team without responding to pressure.

He said all players had been informed in advance of the date of the first-team gathering and warned that anyone arriving late would face disciplinary action under the club’s internal regulations, with no exceptions.

“Zamalek’s rights will not be lost,” El Sayed said. “The club’s administration does not follow what is circulated on social media. The interests and prestige of Zamalek come above everything, and no one can impose pressure on the club or force it to change its position, regardless of who they are.”

El Sayed said Zamalek was protecting its rights in dealings with all parties while applying its regulations and taking relevant circumstances into account. He added that the board was working on several important matters calmly and carefully.

He said that the administration’s silence at times did not mean it was inactive, but reflected a desire to make the correct decision at the appropriate moment and away from external pressure.

Reports about some players leaving the club, or others filing complaints, were described by El Sayed as speculation and rumours because no official decisions had been issued on those matters.

He reassured Zamalek supporters that the outstanding issues would be resolved in the coming days, saying the board was not powerless in the face of the current challenges and that the club was capable of overcoming its difficulties.

Bezera says promise to sell was broken

Bezera subsequently released a statement addressed directly to Zamalek supporters, outlining his version of the dispute with the club’s administration.

The Brazilian claimed Zamalek had failed to honour a promise made to him and his father that he would be sold, despite an offer that would have made him the most expensive player sale in the club’s history.

Bezera’s statement said: “Today I want to speak directly to the fans of Zamalek, without my media team or lawyer.”

“I joined the club in the second half of 2025 and felt a strong connection with the fans, a feeling I had not experienced since leaving Vasco da Gama.”

“The journey was not easy, and many things happened that I do not want to reveal so as not to embarrass the club, but with your support I was able to continue strongly.”

“I rejected important offers at the end of last year and did not even want to hear them because I could not leave the team and let you down.”

“My goal was to help Zamalek win the league after four years. We succeeded together and I have no regrets.”

“The club promised my father and me more than once that I would be sold and that a transfer fee would be set.”

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

“This is not the first time agreements have not been respected, but this time I will not accept it.”

“This is not only about my ambitions, but also about the club’s need for financial income to improve its situation.”

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

“Despite everything I have faced since arriving, I did not wrong anyone. That was because of my unconditional love for the fans. But everything has limits, and I have reached mine.”

Zamalek close transfer talks

After Bezera’s statement, Zamalek said it would no longer discuss any offers for the player.

“Zamalek’s board announces the closure of the door to any offers to sell Brazilian player Juan Bezera during the current summer transfer window,” the club said.

“Zamalek has made its position clear and will not discuss any offers received for the player. Zamalek cannot be forced to sell Bezera or any other player, especially when the player has stopped attending training.”

The club said Bezera’s claim that he had been promised a move at the end of the season was incorrect.

“The player’s statement issued today included a claim that the club had promised him he would leave at the end of the season. This did not happen at all from the club president or any board member, and the player should identify who made him that promise,” Zamalek said.

The club also instructed Bezera to return to Cairo and resume training immediately, citing his valid three-year contract. It said it would take all measures permitted under the agreement and the relevant regulations, including applying its internal disciplinary rules, while preserving all of its rights.

A circulating letter later suggested Zamalek had been prepared to discuss a bid from Shabab Al Ahli for Bezera subject to specific conditions.

A Zamalek source said the club’s earlier demands had been six million US dollars in cash, plus a further one million dollars in additional bonuses. The source added that, following the latest statement, there was no intention to sell Bezera and that the high financial demands had originally been designed to secure the maximum possible return if a transfer went ahead.

“The leaked letter serves the club’s interests and confirms the accuracy of the statement that the negotiations had been closed,” the source said. “Whoever leaked the letter after the definitive decision not to sell the player wants to create a crisis for the club. But Zamalek is a major institution and has the right to negotiate with any other club. The most important thing is the final decision that serves the club and its supporters.”

The source added: “Zamalek has made a final decision not to sell the player, as announced in the official statement, and the matter has been closed. The player has no option other than to return to the club because his contract remains valid for another three seasons.”

Zamalek has begun contacting Bezera’s agent to settle the outstanding commission and end the dispute. The board has also formally informed the player of the start date for pre-season training.

Bezera has made 44 appearances for Zamalek in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing 12 assists. He has missed the start of the club’s preparations for the Egyptian Premier League and had been absent for 18 consecutive days since the squad returned to training.

The Brazilian helped Zamalek win the Egyptian Premier League last season, scoring twice and supplying three assists in the competition.

Zamalek are due to begin their league campaign against Al Ittihad Alexandria on Friday.