Egypt and Zamalek striker Bassem Morsi (Reuters)
Zamalek have agreed to send their prominent striker Bassem Morsi out on loan to an unnamed Chinese club starting January, club chairman Mortada Mansour announced on Saturday.
"The management has agreed to send Morsi out on a six-month loan deal to a Chinese club for $2 million; not including the player's salary, after which he will renew his contract with Zamalek for four years," Mansour told Dream TV.
"Zambian striker Mayuka will remain with the club after Bassem's departure," he added.
Earlier this week, Mansour announced that the club reached an agreement with Morsi to renew his contract, without adding further details.
Morsi expressed devotion to the club in an interview with ON Sport TV Channel after a meeting with Mortada.
"Zamalek have given me a lot. My relationship with the club is more important to me than contracts, and I am ready to sign the new deal without discussing any conditions," he said.
Morsi, 24, has established himself as one of Zamalek's key players since joining the club in 2014 from El-Entag El-Harby.
Morsi, who is widely regarded as Egypt's current best striker, has delivered a series of outstanding performances with the Whites; helping them win the domestic double (the Egyptian League and Egypt Cup titles) in the 2014/2015 season.
He scored twice to give Zamalek the Egypt Cup title last season, beating rivals Ahly 3-1 in the final.
Morsi is also a key member of the squad that will represent Egypt in the African Cup of Nations finals in Gabon next month.
Zamalek currently lie third on the Egyptian League table with 31 points, 11 behind leaders Ahly, who have played three matches more than Zamalek.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
Short link: