Zamalek have made an official step in their race with archrivals Ahly to sign Ismaily’s talented playmaker Abdallah El-Saied.

“The club sent a fax to Ismaily to land Abdallah El-Saied for next season,” reads a statement in the White Castle’s official website.

The Yellows new board, under the presidency, of Ra’fat Abdel-Azim, revealed that they may approve a move for their popular key play, El-Said to help the club solve their financial crisis considering the player already turned down an extension with them.

“El-Saied has turned down the club’s offer to earn LE2.5 million per season to extend his deal, which runs out in the summer of 2012,” Ismaily stated last week.

Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz announced Wednesday that they will negotiate with Ismaily and the player to contract him before the transfer window closes on 10 September.

“El-Saied will be available, anyway in January after he finishes out his contract with Ismaily,” Abdel-Hafiz told Ahram Online, adding “So we will not give a counter-offer, as we prefer to respect his wishes.”