Egypt defender Rami Rabia fighting for the ball with Chile star Alexis Sanchez (Photo: Reuters)
Ahly are in talks with their former defender Rami Rabia to wear the team's jersey again next season when the summer transfer window reopens, Ahly football director Wael Gomaa announced on Saturday.
"I held a personal meeting with Rabia to arrange his return to the team," Gomaa was quoted as saying by Ahram Sport.
The 21-year-old defender, who sealed his switch from Ahly to Sporting Lison with a five-year deal last summer, has been confined to team B appearances for last season's league runners-up so far – after an abdominal injury took a toll on him early in his new overseas career.
"Rabia stepped up his interest in wearing Ahly's jersey next season," the Cairo club's football director added.
Rabia, who was part of Egypt's U-23 national team squad, was unlucky to receive an abdominal injury shortly after joining Sporting that kept him on the sidelines for nearly three months.
Egypt's U-23 manager Hossam El-Badri revealed that Rami Rabia confided in him that he will part ways with Sporting Lisbon by the end of the season after struggling for a long period of time to play for the first team.
The Ahly football director also hinted at the return of the team's former right-back Ahmed Fathi, saying: "He is welcomed any time. Fathi is the club's son and it's his home. He can come any time he wants."
The 29-year-old Fathi has completed a move to Qatari side Umm Salal after rejecting a new contract with Cairo giants Ahly last summer.
He underwent a trial at Arsenal but the English Premier League club did not pursue their interest in him, prompting Ahly to offer him a contract extension.
Fathi was one of Ahly's key players after joining in 2007, with his versatility and defensive prowess helping Ahly to a host of titles.
His previous spells abroad were at English clubs Sheffield United and Hull City, and Kuwaiti side Kazma.
Gomaa refused to close the door to Fathi's return to the team, saying that "everything is available; we love and respect him."
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