Former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary says Congolese club TP Mazembe is in talks to sign him during the winter transfer window next month.

The veteran keeper is currently free to sign for any club after his contract with Sudanese side El-Merrikh ran out last month.

"One of my football agents is meeting with Mazembe but the negotiations are still initial," El-Hadary was quoted as saying by Egypt's state-run news agency MENA on Saturday.

The former Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily keeper joined El-Merreikh in 2011, winning the Sudanese league in the same year and helping the club clinch two cup titles in 2012 and 2013. 

The 40-year-old guard was recently linked with a return to the Egyptian league as he is reportedly seeking to be close to his family.

El-Hadary played a key role in helping Egypt win three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010, but abruptly fell out of favour after rejecting a bench role during a friendly game against Chile in February.

He has not been called up to the national team since then, with the Pharaohs' former coach Bob Bradley relying on Ahly’s Sherif Ekramy in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Egypt failed to end a 24-year streak out of the World Cup after their 7-3 aggregate defeat against Ghana in the final playoffs.

On 30 November, the four-time African Champions League winners Mazembe lost the Confederation Cup title to Tunisia's CS Sfaxien.

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