Ismaily coach Emad Soliman intends to ask the club's board to retain striker Ahmed Ali when his loan deal with Saudi side Al-Hilal expires at the end of the current season.

“We are competing for titles, so we must keep our current squad and also recall our players on loan,” Soliman told Ahram Arabic Online on Saturday.

The 22-year old hitman joined the Saudi giants in January on a six-month loan deal from the Dervishes. He made a slow start but then became an integral member of the team.

After his recent outstanding performances with the club, the player has revealed that Al-Hilal management are preparing an offer to land him permanently, insisting that he doesn’t want to return to Ismaily in the coming season.

“Ali adds significant power to any team. We will benefit a lot from his return next season,” Soliman said.

The Pharaohs star has scored five goals for Al-Hilal in competition so far, leading them to clinch the Saudi Crown Prince Cup title, the 51st in their history.

Ismaily are now third in the Egyptian League table with 35 points, five behind leaders Zamalek.