Ivorian midfielder Michael Mariano could complete his move to Zamalek next week after successfully passing a medical on Friday, Ahram Online understands.

The combative holding midfielder, 22, is awaiting the approval of Zamalek’s new coach Hassan Shehata to join the success-starved Cairo side on a free transfer after his contract with Tunisia’s Olympique Beja expired.

Should Shehata give Zamalek’s board the green light to wrap up the deal, Mariano would be the team’s first summer addition after they finished runners up to Egyptian Premier League champions and bitter rivals Ahly.

Mariano, who is expected to sign a three-year contract with Zamalek, will be hoping to avoid the fate of compatriots Remi Adiko and Abou Kone, who both failed to prove their worth.

Adiko left Zamalek last summer while Kone is expected to be released in the close season after scoring just one league goal.

Zamalek are also chasing several high-profile players, including Egypt midfielders Ahmed Hassan and Hosni Abd-Rabou, who are both free agents after leaving Ahly and Ismaily respectively.