Shikabala finally joins Sporting Lisbon after frantic negotiations in the dying minutes (Photo: Sporting Lisbon's official Facebook page)
After a week of speculation, Sporting Lisbon announced they will not let Egypt midfielder Mahmoud 'Shikabala' Abdel-Razik leave Portugal, despite a late squad elimination.
"There is absolutely no agreement. Shikabala is part of the Sporting squad and will stay in Alvalade," the club's chairman Bruno de Carvalho said to the Portuguese newspaper Record Tuesday, asserting that the player is "not going to Egypt at all."
The former Zamalek star has filled Egyptian newspapers pages with reports suggesting his return after his club dropped him from the UEFA Champions League squad and issued a statement regarding his lack of commitment.
His agent Samir Abdel-Tawab declared the 28-year-old player will not continue in Portugal, telling the media he is searching for offers for him in leagues whose transfer windows are still open, including Egypt.
Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour announced he would welcome the controversial player back on the team, especially as manager Hossam Hassan is interested in his return, but he put strict conditions, including a pay cut, behaviour guarantee forms and apologies to the club and its fans.
The negotiations could still be ongoing as the transfer window in Egypt is open until Thursday, but the Cairo-based club has already registered 16 new players and their squad seems to be filled. However, exceptions are possible for the club's spoiled star.
The player is currently attending the Egyptian national team's preparation camp for a Tunisia home match in the second round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Wednesday and his appearance could make a difference regarding his fate this season.
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