Zamalek forward Mahmoud Abdel-Razek "Shikabala" (C) at Zamalek club in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, 26 April 2015 (Photo: Courtesy of Zamalek official website)
Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon sent a formal warning to Zamalek on Saturday, asking them to stop any talks with forward Mahmoud 'Shikabla' Abdel-Razek as he is still under contract.
The 29-year-old attacker Shikabala held a meeting with Zamalek officials in April in the club's headquarters and reportedly reached a verbal agreement to rejoin his boyhood club this summer.
However, Zamalek's chairman Mortada Mansour has repeatedly revealed that the financial issues may hamper the deal.
Shikabala, who joined Sporting Lisbon in January 2014, has been absent without leave since September 2014, after a dispute with his club.
"Shikabala is still absence from his work, breaching his duties as an employee of our club," Sporting Lisbon said in their letter to Zamalek.
"May we alert you (Zamalek management), once again we won’t allow your influence on Shikabala's attitude," the letter added.
The Aswan-born talent starred at Zamalek since 2002, catching the eyes of many with his skills and also inspiring the Whites to win Egypt's Cup in 2008 and 2013.
He played for the Greek side PAOK between 2005 and 2007 and was loaned to Al-Wasl of UAE in the 2012-13 season.
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