“The negotiations between the two sides (Zamalek and El-Said) are still ongoing,” Marea told a television programme on Friday.

Zamalek, who attempted to sign El-Said in 2018 when his contract with the team’s Cairo nemesis Ahly expired, have made no secret of their desire to land him in every transfer window in the past four years. 

On Tuesday, the White Knights appointed Ossama Nabih, 48, as new coach after they parted-ways with Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira who failed to win any matches in the new year.  

The slumping league holders in the last two seasons lost 1-2 to Aswan, drawing 1-1 with Dakhleya and drawing 0-0 with Ittihad of Alexandria before losing 0-3 to arch-rivals Ahly and 1-2 to Ghazl El-Mahalla - to place fifth in the league table with 26 points, 11 points behind leaders Ahly.

The team also exited the Egypt Cup semis after losing to Pyramids FC on penalties, in a game that saw El-Said substituted early in the first half on a coach decision only to leave the stadium all together in anger.

Some analysts have suggested that El-Said could help turn Zamalek's fortunes around since the team have been playing without a clear playmaker who can create scoring opportunities for the offence.

In the twilight of his career but still clinical on the pitch in scoring and making assists, the 37-year-old Egypt international has reportedly expressed interest in a switch to Zamalek amid his reported recent disagreements with his current club FC Pyramids.

One of the most decorated players in Egyptian football in the last two decades, El-Said – a prolific attacking midfielder in addition to being a brilliant playmaker – has scored 118 goals and made tens of assists in the Egyptian Premier League over his career.

He started his career with the Suez Canal side Ismaily and starred for the Dervishes from 2004-2011.

El-Said's stardom was solidified on a national level after moving to Ahly in 2011.

In seven years at Ahy, he was instrumental in helping the Red Devils win four Egyptian Premier League titles, two Egyptian Super Cups, two African Champions League titles, a Confederation Cup title and two CAF Super Cups.

In January 2019, he joined Pyramids FC from the Saudi Arabian side Ahly Jeddah on a free transfer.

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