Zamalek are seeking to reinforce their squad when the transfer window re-opens in January but would not identify their targets to keep Ahly at bay in the market, the team’s assistant coach Ismail Youssef said on Saturday.

Traditional Cairo rivals Ahly and Zamalek usually go neck-and-neck in every transfer window in an attempt to lure the most sought-after players in the Egyptian Premier League.

However, Ahly win most of the contests, thanks to their financial muscle which has enabled them to win the Premier League title for the past seven seasons.

 “We have already settled on a number of players to buy them in January,” said Youssef, who is the assistant of manager Hassan Shehata.

“We will not disclose the names of those players to prevent Ahly from intervening in the negotiations and ruining the deals, as they usually do.”

Zamalek have made a fine start to the season, winning three of their first five league games. They are four points behind leaders Ahly, who played a game more.

The White Knights’ persistent financial problems, however, are threatening to derail their progress after several players lodged a complaint with the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) over late payments.

The likes of striker Amr Zaki and right wing-back Hazem Emam have made no secret of their desire to leave in January.

“We are eyeing a new centre back, because we just have three players in that position, and a right-back because we have already dropped Emam from our plans,” Youssef added.

“Our targets include a defensive midfielder, playmaker and a prolific striker following the complicated problem of Amr Zaki.”

Zamalek have not won the league title since 2004. Their last domestic triumph came in 2008 when they lifted the Egypt Cup trophy.